Cited by 253Art Therapy and Mental HealthAesthetic Perception and AnalysisCrafts, Textile, and Design

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Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety?

Curry, Nancy A., Kasser, Tim·2005·Art Therapy

DOI 10.1080/07421656.2005.10129441

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Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of different types of art activities in the reduction of anxiety. After undergoing a brief anxiety-induction, 84 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to color a mandala, to color a plaid form, or to color on a blank piece of paper. Results demonstrated that anxiety levels declined approximately the same for the mandala- and plaid-coloring groups and that both of these groups experienced more reduction in anxiety than did the unstructured- coloring group. These findings suggest that structured coloring of a reasonably complex geometric pattern may induce a meditative state that benefits individuals suffering from anxiety.

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Authors: Curry, N. A., & Kasser, T.
Affiliations: Knox College (US)
ORCID: Kasser, Tim
Venue: Art Therapy
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2005-01
Volume: 22
Issue: 2
Pages: 81-85
ISSN: 0742-1656 (ISSN-L)
2159-9394
DOI: 10.1080/07421656.2005.10129441
OpenAlex: W2102958836
Cited by: 253
References: 13
Citations by year: 2026: 24 · 2025: 22 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 18 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 7
FWCI: 33.38
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Art Therapy (publishedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Art Therapy and Mental Health
Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Aesthetic Perception and Analysis
Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Museology › Crafts, Textile, and Design
Keywords: mandala coloring, anxiety reduction, art activities, anxiety induction, meditation, geometric patterns, undergraduate students

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Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety?

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