Mandala Coloring and Postpartum Blues

One of the art therapy techniques that can provide psychological support and healing is mandala painting. Mandala is a Sanskrit word meaning 'circle'. The purpose of the circle is to encourage meditation, concentration and integration by narrowing or limiting the visual field towards the center. In mandala painting, the individual can focus their attention on the lines, stay in the moment, separate themselves from the concerns of the past and future and ensure that they remember the consciousness of the moment again. The energy and emotions of the individual can change with the rich variety of colors used in mandala painting. It can help the individual achieve spiritual calmness by silencing the chaos and sounds that disturb them. Studies in the literature have reported that mandala painting is an effective method in reducing negative moods and anxiety in individuals. Gray-Foti found in his study that mandala painting reduced the anxiety levels of new mothers and increased their self-confidence, while Özsavran and Akyıldız found that it increased the comfort and resilience of mothers with special needs children. In a meta-analysis study evaluating the effect of mandala painting on state anxiety in adults, it was determined that it was effective in reducing anxiety. However, no study has been found investigating the effect of mandala coloring on postpartum sadness.This study was planned as a randomized controlled study to help women who experience postpartum sadness get through this period more easily.