Two randomised controlled crossover studies to evaluate the effect of colouring on both self-report and performance measures of well-being

Holt, N. J.; Stankova, K; Simmons, K; Bailey, K; Furbert, L; Sweetingham, E

Abstract

Objectives: Previous research has reported that colouring can significantly reduce stress. Two studies sought to improve upon previous methodology by introducing an active control condition, and testing the impact of colouring upon cognitive factors: mindfulness and creativity.

Design: A randomised controlled crossover design was selected to control for contextual variables, with two independent variables: Condition (either colouring or reading); and Time (pre- and post condition). Dependent variables included mood and mindfulness, divergent thinking and sustained attention. The presentation of all conditions and measures was randomised.

Methods: Participants were undergraduate psychology students at UWE, recruited through opportunity sampling (Study One: N = 47, 36 females, mean age = 20.62; Study Two: N = 52, 40 females, mean age = 21.04). Participants spent twenty minutes both colouring a mandala and reading a chapter on study skills. Pre- and post- condition state measures of mindfulness and mood were completed. In Study Two, measures completed after each condition included the Test of Everyday Attention and alternate divergent thinking forms.

Results: Both studies found significantly improved hedonic tone and mindfulness after colouring compared to the control condition (and post- compared to pre- colouring). In study two, there were significantly higher levels of both original thinking and sustained attention following colouring (compared to the control condition).

Conclusions: These studies support previous findings reporting improved affect, and further suggest that colouring may have cognitive benefits, improving sustained attention and access to original ideation. Such findings require replication and consideration of their applications, for example, as a stress-reduction tool for students.

Citation

Holt, N. J., Stankova, K., Simmons, K., Bailey, K., Furbert, L., & Sweetingham, E. (2018, May). Two randomised controlled crossover studies to evaluate the effect of colouring on both self-report and performance measures of well-being. Poster presented at British Psychological Society Annual Conference, Nottingham, England

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: British Psychological Society Annual Conference
• Conference Location: Nottingham, England
• Start Date: May 2, 2018
• End Date: May 4, 2018
• Acceptance Date: Feb 14, 2018
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2019
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: colouring, art and health, randomised cross-over trial
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/874461
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : British Psychological Society Annual Conference