The DOI matches its Crossref record; 13 of the 13 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Can Coloring Mandalas Reduce Anxiety?
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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In the citing paper
“Some evidence in support of this claim was provided by one study that hypothesised that colouring ma ṇḍ alas can induce a meditative state, which in turn is beneficial for individuals suffering from anxiety (Curry and Kasser 2005, 81, 84).”
From Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations (2017) · cites this paper as Curry and Kasser 2005
In the citing paper
“Since it is unclear how long the therapeutic effects of colouring will last, Curry and Kasser recommend that colouring be done right before the onset of an anxiety-provoking activity.”
From Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations (2017) · cites this paper as Curry and Kasser 2005
In the citing paper
“The meditative effect of colouring on individuals suffering from anxiety is likely also caused by the fact that the colourer is able to disengage temporarily from anxious feelings (Curry and Kasser 2005, 82).”
From Modern Maṇḍala Meditation: Some Observations (2017) · cites this paper as Curry and Kasser 2005
Citations
Cites
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The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being
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Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders
(1992) · American Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.1176/ajp.149.7.936 · Cited by 1,941
The age of anxiety? The birth cohort change in anxiety and neuroticism, 1952-1993.
Twenge, J. M. (2000) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037//0022-3514.79.6.1007 · Cited by 786
Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions
Kendall, P. C., & Gosch, E. A. (1994) · Issues in clinical child psychology · doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-1498-9_22 · Cited by 126
Meditation as psychotherapy: A review of the literature.
Smith, J. C. (1975) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/h0076888 · Cited by 106
Anxiety, alcohol, aphasia, and ums.
Christenfeld, N. J. S., & Creager, B. (1996) · Journal of Personality and Social Psychology · doi:10.1037/0022-3514.70.3.451 · Cited by 63
An Art Therapy Group for Children Traumatized by Parental Violence and Separation
Kozlowska, K., & Hanney, L. (2001) · Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry · doi:10.1177/1359104501006001006 · Cited by 61
Effects of meditation on psychological and physiological measures of anxiety.
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Outcome Studies on the Efficacy of Art Therapy: A Review of Findings
Slayton, S. C., D’Archer, J., & Kaplan, F. F. (2010) · Art Therapy · doi:10.1080/07421656.2010.10129660 · Cited by 372
Schouten, K. A., de Niet, G. J., Knipscheer, J. W., Kleber, R. J., & Hutschemaekers, G. J. M. (2015) · Trauma, Violence, & Abuse · doi:10.1177/1524838014555032 · Cited by 212
Creative art therapy for mental illness
Chiang, M., Reid-Varley, W.-B., & Fan, X. (2019) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.025 · Cited by 243
Empirical study on the healing nature of mandalas.
Henderson, P., Rosen, D., & Mascaro, N. (2007) · Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts · doi:10.1037/1931-3896.1.3.148 · Cited by 158
The brain-body disconnect: A somatic sensory basis for trauma-related disorders
Kearney, B. E., & Lanius, R. A. (2022) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2022.1015749 · Cited by 154
Metadata
- 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
- 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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