How flow and mindfulness interact with each other in mindfulness-based augmented reality mandala coloring activities

Front Psychol. 2024 Jan 8:14:1301531. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1301531. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Hao Chen^#^{1

2}, Chao Liu^#^{2

3}, Ayuan Zhang⁴, Wen-Qian Lu⁵, Kan Wu², Wen-Ko Chiou^{6

7

8}

Affiliations

¹ School of Film Television & Communication, Xiamen University of Technology, Xiamen, China.
² Business Analytics Research Center, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
³ School of Journalism and Communication, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China.
⁴ Teachers College, Beijing Union University, Beijing, China.
⁵ College of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, China.
⁶ Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei, Taiwan.
⁷ Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
⁸ Department of Industrial Design, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

^# Contributed equally.

Abstract

Introduction: This study explores the effects of different types of augmented reality (AR) mandala coloring activities on mindfulness and flow in college students.

Methods: A total of 76 college students participated in the study and were divided into two groups based on their drawing skills: the high-skilled group (n = 38) and the low-skilled group (n = 38). With the help of AR technology, two groups of subjects carried out three mandala coloring experiments with structured mandala, free mandala and cooperative mandala in order. The measurement evaluation in the experimental program included a pre-test before all the experiments (Time 0) and each post-test after three mandala coloring activities (Time 1, Time 2 and Time 3). The balance dimensions of flow and challenge skills of the two groups were measured.

Results: ANOVA results showed that a single 30-min short-term datura coloring activity did not significantly improve mindfulness (f = 2.339, p = 0.074, η² = 0.031), but did significantly improve flow (f = 11.918, p = < 0.001, η² = 0.139). Linear regression results found positive correlations between mindfulness and certain dimensions of flow (e.g., focus on a task, unambiguous feedback, sense of control, challenge -- skill balance, and automatic experience). Mindfulness was also found to be negatively correlated with the loss of the self-conscious component of flow. We also found that the free mandala was quite challenging for subjects in the low-skill group, while the teamwork in the cooperative mandala helped them overcome difficulties and cope with challenges.

Discussion: Flow can be quickly and effectively improved through short AR mandala coloring exercises. The contribution of this study is to provide inspiration and reference for further exploring how AR mandola coloring can improve subjects' mental state and promote the perfection and development of positive psychological mechanism.

Keywords: AR mandala coloring; flow; mindfulness; positive psychology; teamwork.

Grants and funding

The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This research was supported by the Humanities and Social Science Fund of the Ministry of Education of China (Grant Number: 23YJCZH012), Fujian Social Science Foundation (Grant Number: FJ2022BF058), Fujian Social Science Foundation (Grant Number: FJ2022BF070), Quanzhou Social Science Foundation (Grant Number: 2022E11) and Taiwan Ministry of Science and Technology (Grant Number: 112-2221-E-182-040-MY3).