Effects of coloring mandalas on test anxiety

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the coloring mandalas on reducing test anxiety of university students. To determine participants among university student, the Spielberger test anxiety inventory was applied. According to the results of the inventory, the participants were randomly assigned to the test group and the control group. While control group listened to calming music, the test group colored different types of pre-shaped mandalas. To determine the effect of coloring mandalas on reducing anxiety, the Spielberger test anxiety inventory (TAI) was reapplied at the end of the 5th week. The mean score of the TAI significantly decreased between the pre-test and the pro-test in the both groups (the test group and the control group). Suprisingly the mean score of the TAI of the control group was significantly lower than the test group. The findings show that coloring mandalas can significantly reduce the level of anxiety, however it is less effective than listening music. Keywords:Test Anxiety, coloring mandalas, university students