Date of Award

5-2017

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Holistic Health Studies

Department

Holistic Health

First Advisor

Carol Geisler

Department/School

Holistic Health Studies

Abstract

Job demands and extended hours contribute to chronic employee stress, leading to physical and psychological health problems. Workplace wellness programs (WWPs) strive to improve employee’s physical health and wellbeing, but lack holistic options addressing stress reduction for the mind, body, and spirit. The purpose of this project is to describe the effects mandala coloring has on reducing objective and subjective stress levels in corporate employees. This empirical, quasi-experimental pilot study sampled 14 employees (n = 6 experimental, n = 8 control) measuring blood pressure, pulse, and perceived stress levels over a course of three weeks of coloring. Participants of this convenience sample were randomly sorted into the control or experimental group. Data was analyzed and interpreted using IBM SPSS Statistics 24. An RMANOVA showed no statistical significance between coloring mandalas versus coloring sheets in reducing objective and subjective stress levels in corporate employees over a three week time period. Our pilot study provides a starting point for future research and possible implications for WWPs. Our suggestions for future research include: recruiting a larger sample size to represent the population as a whole, increasing both the duration of the study and time spent coloring for participants, incorporating qualitative data, and testing cortisol levels as another determinant of stress reduction. Furthermore, as the demands of corporate employees continue to cause chronic stress to rise, it is necessary to provide more evidence for stress reduction encompassing holistic modalities, such as mandala coloring, in a workplace setting.

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