Integrating Drawing and Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety in Adolescents, A Randomized Pilot Study

Integrating Drawing and Mindfulness to Reduce Anxiety in Adolescents, A Randomized Pilot Study

Project Team
Sarah Myruski, Assistant Research Professor, Psychology

Project Funding
Level 3 – Joint projects in Arts, Humanities, and Social and Behavioral Sciences

Project Description

Anxiety symptoms commonly emerge in adolescence, yet a large portion of those who experience symptoms do not seek treatment [1]. Mindfulness meditation can improve mood and reduce anxiety symptoms [2], yet practical benefits may be diminished due to barriers including difficulties focusing attention and initiating meditation sessions [3]. The proposed study will test the feasibility of a novel guided drawing intervention that integrates an approachable and tangible drawing activity with mindfulness elements. In a pilot sample of adolescents (N = 120), we will examine whether, in comparison to control groups, the guided drawing activity (Aim 1) results in a significant change pre- to post-drawing in emotional state and physiological arousal, and (Aim 2) anxiety symptoms are reduced between baseline and one week later. We will also test (Aim 3) whether individual differences in self-reported difficulties with emotion regulation will predict the magnitude of changes induced by the guided drawing activity.