%0 Journal Article
%T Effectiveness of mindfulness
%A Dana Carsley
%A Nancy L. Heath
%J School Psychology International
%@ 1461-7374
%D 2018
%R 10.1177/0143034318773523
%X The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a mindfulness art activity (mandala) with a free draw/colouring activity on test anxiety in adolescents with an examination of gender differences, and to assess the effect of dispositional mindfulness on students¡¯ experience of mindfulness and test anxiety states. Participants were 193 Grade 8 students (56.6% female; Mage£¿=£¿13.49 years, SD£¿=£¿0.50) randomly assigned to a mandala (n£¿=£¿97) or free draw/colouring condition (n£¿=£¿96). Students completed standardized measures to assess test anxiety and state mindfulness pre- post-colouring intervention, immediately prior to completing a test, in addition to a measure of dispositional mindfulness. Results showed a significant decrease in test anxiety and a significant increase in state mindfulness following both activities; however, a gender by group by time interaction was found such that females reported a greater decrease in test anxiety in the free condition compared to males. Furthermore, the baseline measures (pre-intervention state mindfulness and test anxiety) were found to fully mediate relations between dispositional mindfulness and the outcome measures (post-intervention state mindfulness and test anxiety). Implications for educators and future research and practice regarding the use of mindfulness activities in the classroom are discussed
%K adolescents
%K art making
%K mandala
%K mindfulness
%K test anxiety
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0143034318773523