The Effects of Completing Mandalas on Mood, Anxiety, and State Mindfulness

Abstract

This randomized controlled study examined effects of mandala (structured and unstructured) and instruction (directed expression and free expression) on state anxiety, mood, and state mindfulness. Participants included 69 undergraduates randomly assigned to one of four conditions following anxious mood induction. The design followed 2 (mandala) X 2 (instruction) X 3 (time) mixed factorial design. A reflective writing task was analyzed for linguistic expression. Results indicated that all conditions are equivalently effective strategies for improving mood, state anxiety, and state body mindfulness. Linguistic patterns identified that unstructured mandala creation led to more affect and insight word use than structured mandala coloring. This study suggests that coloring and creating mandalas yield different implications for addressing particular therapeutic goals.