Abstract

Adult coloring books are a popular trend in today’s pop culture. Although coloring books are commonly thought to have positive effects on one’s anxiety and stress levels, little research exists to support these claims. Muthard and Gilbertson (2016) evaluated the “effectiveness of mandala coloring paired with focused breathing in reducing negative affect, state anxiety, and psychophysiological stress response following a psychosocial stressor” (p16). Findings indicated a modest positive effect on stress after coloring mandalas in combination with mindful breathing. Muthard and Gilbertson suggested several modifications for future research, including having a task for the control group and independently assessing the effects of mindful breathing on participants. The present research replicated the original study, addressing these limitations. Specifically, this pilot study examined how coloring affects one’s stress levels using two experimental groups (a coloring group and a mindful breathing group) and one active control group (transcribing a paragraph). Researchers evaluated stress levels through self-reported pre and post behavioral surveys and continuous assessment of physiological responses. Using these results researchers examined the independent effects of coloring on stress as compared to mindful breathing and an active control task.

How to Cite