Effects of Mandala Coloring on Anxiety in Pregnant Women

Pregnancy is an important period in a woman's life in which she experiences different spiritual, physical and emotional experiences. While experiencing this process, women may face many factors that may affect their mental health, such as stress, anxiety and depression. When the literature is examined, it is stated that approximately 10% to 24.2% of pregnant women experience anxiety or stress during their pregnancy.It is very important to diagnose it in the early stages of pregnancy, as anxiety in pregnancy can have negative effects on maternal and newborn health, especially in the birth and postpartum period.

A number of alternatives have been found to reduce anxiety, one of which is using it in the form of art therapy.In the opinion of art psychotherapists, mandala painting is one of the main tools of other art psychotherapy techniques that focus on healing.A number of studies have been conducted to determine the effect of drawing or coloring a mandala on anxiety.

Amelia et al conducted research that proved that drawing and coloring mandalas effectively reduces students' anxiety levels. In Turkey, a study was conducted by Sezen and Ünsalver on the fear of childbirth in pregnant women, including art therapy. In the study, 7 types of art therapy were applied to the women, including listening to music and singing, making masks, drawing, making mandalas, making dolls, taking photographs and making collages. As a result of the research, it was determined that art therapy was effective in reducing anxiety.

When the studies are examined, there are studies on the application of mandala to reduce the anxiety felt by children in cancer patients, but there are no studies on reducing pregnancy-related anxiety of women during pregnancy. This research was planned as a randomized controlled experimental study in order to reduce the anxiety felt by expectant mothers in relation to pregnancy during pregnancy.

Inclusion criteria

• Ability to read and understand Turkish
• Being between the ages of 20-35,
• Single pregnancy
• Don't be primiparous
• Having 40 or more from STAI
• Volunteering to participate in the research
• Fully answering survey and scale forms.
• Being in the first, 2nd or 3rd trimester

Exclusion criteria

• Having been diagnosed with a risky pregnancy
• Unwilling to continue working
• Having a chronic disease (Diabetes, Hypertension, Thyroid etc.),
• Having any problem that prevents communication (such as hearing, speaking, and understanding abilities),
• Using one of the pharmacological or non-pharmacological methods to reduce anxiety and receiving psychiatric treatment (Pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy).
• Lack of a smart phone and internet