Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
Psychology, Art Therapy, Mandala, Digital Coloring, Colored Pencils, Word Search, Experimental Study
Department
Psychology
Major
Psychology and Art
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine if coloring mandalas digitally or traditionally has a different impact in reducing death anxiety among older adults. Using random assignment, we compared digital (n = 22) and traditional (n = 26) coloring to a non-art distraction activity (completing a word puzzle; n = 21) for levels of death anxiety following a death anxiety induction. We hypothesized that both digital and traditional coloring conditions would result in lower levels of death anxiety compared to the non-art activity, but that traditional coloring would result in the lowest levels of death anxiety. In addition, we explored technology literacy as a potential moderating factor. The sample consisted of 69 adults (M age = 72.20, SD = 15.10). We did not find a main effect for the study condition, but found that among participants low in technology literacy, coloring a mandala with paper and colored pencils resulted in lower death anxiety than coloring a mandala on a digital tablet (R² = .23). This demonstrates the importance of attending to people’s familiarity and confidence in using a particular medium when designing artistic interventions for anxiety reduction.
Faculty Mentor
Elizabeth Mancuso, Cindy Miller-Perrin
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
24-3-2023 2:00 PM
End Date
24-2-2023 4:00 PM
Included in
The Impact of Digital and Traditional Coloring on Death Anxiety in Older Adults
Waves Cafeteria
The purpose of this study was to examine if coloring mandalas digitally or traditionally has a different impact in reducing death anxiety among older adults. Using random assignment, we compared digital (n = 22) and traditional (n = 26) coloring to a non-art distraction activity (completing a word puzzle; n = 21) for levels of death anxiety following a death anxiety induction. We hypothesized that both digital and traditional coloring conditions would result in lower levels of death anxiety compared to the non-art activity, but that traditional coloring would result in the lowest levels of death anxiety. In addition, we explored technology literacy as a potential moderating factor. The sample consisted of 69 adults (M age = 72.20, SD = 15.10). We did not find a main effect for the study condition, but found that among participants low in technology literacy, coloring a mandala with paper and colored pencils resulted in lower death anxiety than coloring a mandala on a digital tablet (R² = .23). This demonstrates the importance of attending to people’s familiarity and confidence in using a particular medium when designing artistic interventions for anxiety reduction.