When Did Coloring Books Become Mindful? Exploring the Effectiveness of a Novel Method of Mindfulness-Guided Instructions for Coloring Books to Increase Mindfulness and Decrease Anxiety.
Michail Mantzios, Kyriaki Giannou
Frontiers in Psychology 2018 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00056 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 160 |
| Population | University students |
| Interventions | Unguided mandala coloring Free drawing |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Keywords | Coloring books Mandala |
| Key findings | Mindfulness-guided mandala coloring decreased anxiety but did not increase mindfulness; unguided mandala coloring showed no change in either. |
Abstract
Mindfulness has been associated with the use of coloring books for adults; however, the question of whether they do increase mindfulness has not been addressed. In two studies, we attempted to identify whether mindfulness is increased, and whether there is a need for ongoing guidance while coloring, similar to mindfulness meditation. In the first randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 88) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., described in mainstream literature as a mindfulness practice) or to a free-drawing group. Measurements of state mindfulness and state anxiety were taken pre- and post- experiment. Results indicated no change in mindfulness or anxiety. In the second randomized controlled experiment, university students (n = 72) were assigned to an unguided mandala coloring group (i.e., same as Experiment 1), or, to a mindfulness-guided coloring group (i.e., same as the unguided coloring group with a mindfulness practitioner guiding participants as in mindfulness breathing meditation, with instructions modified and applied to coloring). Results indicated that the mindfulness-guided mandala coloring group performed better in decreasing anxiety, but no change was observed in mindfulness. Exit interviews revealed that some participants did not like the voice guiding them while coloring, which suggested further differing and significant findings. While mindfulness-guided coloring appears promising, guidance or instructions on how to color mindfully may require further development and adjustment to enhance health and wellbeing.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Brief mindfulness-based training and mindfulness trait attenuate psychological stress in university students: a randomized controlled trial BMC Psychology February 1, 2021
- Healthy and unhealthy eating amongst stressed students: considering the influence of mindfulness on eating choices and consumption Health Psychology Report September 21, 2018
- The Effect of the Meditation Based Mandala Programme on Distress, Anxiety and Depression in the Caregivers of Cancer Patients in Palliative Care Unit. OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying September 1, 2023
- Mindfulness in face recognition: Embedding mindfulness instructions in the face‐composite construction process Applied Cognitive Psychology April 4, 2021
- Mindfulness-Based Art Interventions for Students: A Meta-Analysis Review of the Effect on Anxiety Behavioral Sciences August 7, 2025
and 12 more in the library
Cites 7
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- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Health Care Professionals: Results From a Randomized Trial. International Journal of Stress Management May 1, 2005
- A randomized controlled trial of mindfulness meditation versus relaxation training: Effects on distress, positive states of mind, rumination, and distraction Annals of Behavioral Medicine February 1, 2007
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and 2 more in the library