Effect of coloring on student stress levels
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/ajrt.2017.0122Keywords:
coloring, stress, mandala, student, coping, meditative, stress reductionAbstract
The use of coloring as a form of therapy is relatively new and therefore there is limited research surrounding the topic. This study looked to increase the knowledge base surrounding this topic to better educate those who may find it useful, such as students, educators, or therapists. This study recruited participants aged 18-21 who were full time students at university living away from home. They were asked to complete a self-assessment of their stress levels before and after their participation in a stress induction procedure, as well as after participating in their assigned intervention for 20 minutes. There were three assigned treatments: mandala coloring, traditional coloring, and the control group. This study found statistically significant results supporting the mandala coloring group as an effective intervention for stress reduction. Although only the mandala pattern displayed statistically significant stress reduction, the traditional coloring pattern was able to provide some stress reduction to participants. The control group who sat passively for 20 minutes reported higher stress scores at the end of the study when compared to their initial baseline scores. The findings confirm that coloring is an effective form of therapy when it comes to reducing stress in the university student population.
References
Statistics Canada: Postsecondary enrolments by institution type, registration status, province and sex (both sexes), 2014. Available at http://www.statcan.gc.ca/tables-tableaux/sum-som/l01/cst01/educ71a-eng.htm. Accessed November 9, 2015.
Belsky J: Experiencing the Lifespan. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Worth Publishers, 2013.
Kaya C, Tansey TN, Melekoglu M, et al.: Stress and life satisfaction of Turkish college students. Coll Student J. 2015; 49(2): 257-261.
Von Haaren B, Haertel S, Stumpp J, et al.: Reduced emotional stress reactivity to a real-life academic examination stressor in students participating in a 20-week aerobic exercise training: A randomized controlled trial using Ambulatory Assessment. Psychol Sport Exerc. 2015; 20(1): 67-75.
Smith E: Stress Busters: Helping Students Survive and Thrive During Exams. St. Catharines, Ontario: Brock University, 2015.
Carsley D, Heath N, Fajnerova S: Effectiveness of a classroom mindfulness colouring activity for test anxiety in children. J Appl Sch Psychol. 2015; 31(3): 239-255.
Ksiazek P, Grabska K, Trojanowska D, et al.: Stress and methods of coping with it among students of the Medical University of Lublin. Polish J Public Health. 2015; 125(2): 94-98.
Segal J, Smith M, Segal R, et al.: Stress symptoms, signs, and causes. HelpGuide. Available at http://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/stress-symptoms-causes-and-effects.htm. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Schrade C, Tronsky L, Kaiser D: Psychological effects of mandala making in adults with intellectual disability. Arts Psychother. 2011; 38: 109-113.
Aaron RE, Rinehart KL, Ceballos NA: Arts-based interventions to reduce anxiety levels among college students. Arts Health. 2011; 3(1): 27-38.
Kitzrow M: The mental health needs of today's college students: Challenges and recommendations. NASP J. 2003; 41(1): 165-179.
Sandmire DA, Gorham SR, Rankin NE, et al.: The influence of art making on anxiety: A pilot study. Art Therapy. 2012; 29(2): 68-73.
Sanbonmatsu DM., Hill JB, Moore SM, et al.: Selective testing of possible causes of personal stress: Effects on coping intentions. J Soc Clin Psychol. 2014; 33(9): 789-804.
Klatt M, Harpster K, Browne E, et al.: Feasibility and preliminary outcomes for move-into-learning: An arts-based mindfulness classroom intervention. J Positive Psychol. 2013; 8(3): 233-241.
Miller A: Canadian students feel stress, anxiety, have suicidal thoughts, survey reveals. The Globe and Mail. 2013. Available at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/college-university-students-feel-stress-anxietyhave-suicidal-thoughts-survey-reveals/article12613742/. Accessed November 6, 2015.
Van Lith T, Fenner P, Schofield M: The lived experience of art making as companion to the mental health recovery process. Disability Rehabilitation. 2011; 33(8): 652-660.
Palmer A, Rodger S: Mindfulness, stress and coping among university students. Can J Counselling. 2015; 43(3): 198-212.
Lecky J: The therapeutic effectiveness of creative activities on mental well-being: A systematic review of the literature. J Psychiatr Men Health Nurs. 2011; 18: 501-509.
Babouchkina A, Robbins SJ: Reducing negative mood through mandala creation: A randomized controlled trial. Art Therapy. 2015; 32(1): 34-39.
Potash JS, Chen JY, Tsang JY: Medical student mandala making for holistic well-being. Med Humanit. 2015; 41(1): 1-9.
Curry N, Kasser T: Can coloring mandalas reduce anxiety? Art Therapy. 2005; 22(2): 81-85.
Nanda U, Eisen S, Zadeh R, et al.: Effect of visual art on patient anxiety and agitation in a mental health facility and implications for the business case. J Psychiatr Men Health Nurs. 2011; 18(5): 386-393.
Bolwerk A, Mack-Andrick J, Lang F, et al.: How art changes your brain: Differential effects of visual art production and cognitive art evaluation on functional brain connectivity. PLoS One. 2014; 9(7): 1-8.
Dyson R, Renk K: Freshmen adaptation to university life: Depressive symptoms. Stress and coping. J Clin Psychol. 2006; 62(10): 1231-1244.
Shadish WR, Cook TD: Campbell DT: Experimental and Quasi-Experimental Designs for Generalized Causal Inference. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin Inc., 2002.
American Psychological Association: The state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), 2016. Available at http://www.apa.org/pi/about/publications/caregivers/practice-settings/assessment/tools/trait-state.aspx. Accessed January 25, 2016.
Julian LJ: Measures of Anxiety, 2014. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3879951. Accessed February 24, 2016.
Curl K: Assessing stress reduction as a function of artistic creation and cognitive focus. Art Therapy. 2008; 25(4): 164-169.
Abbott KA, Shanahan MJ, Neufeld RWJ.: Artistic tasks outperform nonartistic tasks for stress reduction. Art Therapy. 2013; 30(2): 71-78.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2000-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC
All Rights Reserved
