Evaluating the effectiveness of a mindfulness coloring activity for test anxiety in children. Issue 2 (4th March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Carsley, Dana; Heath, Nancy L.
• Is Part Of: Journal of educational research. Volume 112:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 143
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2019-03-04
• Subjects: Art making -- children -- mandala -- mindfulness -- test anxiety; Education -- Periodicals; 370.705
• DOI: 10.1080/00220671.2018.1448749
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0671

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The authors investigated the effectiveness of a mindfulness art activity compared with a free draw/coloring activity on test anxiety in children. The sample consisted of 152 students (50% female; Mage = 10.38 years, SD = 0.88 years) randomly assigned to a mindful ( n = 76) or free ( n = 76) group. Participants completed a standardized measure of anxiety and state mindfulness before and after the coloring activity, immediately before a spelling test, as well as a measure of dispositional mindfulness. Results revealed an overall significant decrease in test anxiety and an overall significant increase in state mindfulness following the interventions. Furthermore, although a significant negative correlation was found between dispositional mindfulness and change in state mindfulness pre- and post-coloring intervention, a significant positive correlation was found between dispositional mindfulness and pre-intervention state mindfulness, suggesting a possible ceiling effect. Explanations for these findings and implications for school personnel and future research are discussed.