Relationship between Mandala Art and Emotional Intelligence among Undergraduate Students: An Intervention

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19625186

Divya Singh¹ and Neerja Pandey² (Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh¹ and AIBAS, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh²)

Emotional Intelligence plays a crucial role in understanding emotions, managing relations, and maintaining psychological well-being (Salove & Mayer, 1990). This present study was conducted to explore the relationship between mandala art therapy and emotional intelligence among undergraduate students. This present study used a pre-test and post-test mixed-method research design using a convenience sampling method. Total of six participants took part in a Mandala Art Therapy Intervention, which was designed to explore emotions of the individual and assist in mindfulness, emotional expression, and self-reflection through structured mandala creation and colouring activity. Emotional Intelligence was examined across 10 factors of Emotional Intelligence: Self-awareness, empathy, self-motivation, emotional stability, managing relations, integrity, self-development, value orientation, commitment, and altruistic behavior. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired sample t-test to examine the significant difference between pre-test and post-test scores. The results showed an overall improvement in emotional intelligence following the intervention. The mean score of overall emotional intelligence increased from 75.67 (pre-test) to 82.5 (Post-test). Statistical analysis also showed a significant improvement in the overall emotional intelligence scores. In addition to the quantitative findings, participants’ subjective feedback suggested that the mandala art creation and colouring process created a sense of calmness, emotional awareness, and mindfulness. Many Participants described the experience of relaxation, while some also reported deeper emotional exploration during the mandala creation and colouring process. Overall findings suggest that Mandala Art Therapy can be useful as a creative and expressive tool for improving emotional intelligence and promoting emotional awareness. This present study highlights the potential of using art-based therapeutic practices in educational as well as psychological settings.