Empirical study on the healing nature of mandalas.

Henderson, Patti; Rosen, David; Mascaro, Nathan

doi:10.1037/1931-3896.1.3.148

Cited by 158Art Therapy and Mental HealthMental Health via WritingPosttraumatic Stress Disorder Research

Empirical study on the healing nature of mandalas.

Henderson, Patti, Rosen, David, Mascaro, Nathan·2007·Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts

DOI 10.1037/1931-3896.1.3.148

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Abstract

Mandalas were first used in therapy by Carl Jung, who found that the act of drawing mandalas had a calming effect on patients while at the same time facilitating psychic integration. There is a scarcity of controlled empirical studies of the healing impact of mandalas on mental health. Based on the efficacy of James Pennebaker’s written disclosure paradigm in promoting mental well-being (Pennebaker, 1997a, 1997b), the purpose of our study was to examine the benefits for those suffering from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) of processing traumatic events through the creation of mandalas. Benefits to participants were measured in terms of changes in the variables of PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, anxiety, spiritual meaning, and the frequency of physical symptoms and illness. Relative to those in the control condition, individuals assigned to the experimental mandala-creation group reported greater decreases in symptoms of trauma at the 1-month follow up. There were no other statistically significant outcome differences. Alternative modes of processing traumatic events (e.g., visually symbolically) may serve individuals who are either reluctant or unable to write about their experiences.

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Drawing a mandala seemed effective in ameliorating symptoms of PTSD.
“it 'seemed effective in ameliorating symptoms' of PTSD (Henderson and Rosen 2007, 153).”
From Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations (2017) · cites this paper as Henderson and Rosen 2007
Drawing a mandala provides cognitive integration and organization to complex emotional experiences that will give a sense of personal meaning.
“[t]he drawing of a mandala provides cognitive integration and organization to complex emotional experiences that will give a sense of personal meaning ….”
From Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations (2017) · cites this paper as Henderson and Rosen 2007

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Self-citation

Creativity, expression, and healing: an empirical study using mandalas within the written disclosure paradigm
Henderson, P. (2009) · OakTrust (Texas A&M University Libraries) · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Self-citation
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Authors: Henderson, P., Rosen, D., & Mascaro, N.
Affiliations: Texas A&M University (US)
Emory University (US)
Venue: Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts
Publisher: American Psychological Association (APA)
Published: 2007-08
Volume: 1
Issue: 3
Pages: 148-154
ISSN: 1931-3896 (ISSN-L)
1931-390X
DOI: 10.1037/1931-3896.1.3.148
OpenAlex: W1973798464
Cited by: 158
References: 26
Citations by year: 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 10 · 2019: 12 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 14 · 2014: 6 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI: 92.73
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Psychology of Aesthetics Creativity and the Arts (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Conservation › Art Therapy and Mental Health
Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health via Writing
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
Keywords: mandala, mandala drawing, post-traumatic stress disorder, trauma processing, written disclosure, mental health, depressive symptoms, anxiety, spiritual meaning, somatic symptoms, illness, Jungian psychology, art therapy

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Empirical study on the healing nature of mandalas.

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