The effect of mandala coloring on postpartum blues: a randomized controlled trial

Postpartum blues, also known as postnatal sadness, is a psychological condition often experienced by new mothers, characterized by symptoms such as sadness, excessive crying, irritability, and difficulty making decisions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of mandala coloring on alleviating postpartum blues in women who have recently given birth. This study included 77 postpartum women, divided into two groups: 39 in the control group and 38 in the experimental group. Data collection involved an Information Form, the Stein Blues Scale (SBS), and the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS). The experimental group engaged in mandala coloring for two weeks, while the control group received no intervention. The SBS and EPDS were administered to assess postpartum blues symptoms before and after the intervention. After the intervention, women in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in postpartum blues symptoms (p < .05). The experimental group, which participated in mandala coloring, exhibited a notable improvement compared to the control group, as demonstrated by the SBS and EPDS scores: SBS-1 (6.82 ± 2.30 vs. 7.31 ± 2.48); SBS-2 (3.97 ± 2.03 vs. 6.18 ± 2.74); EPDS-1 (15.37 ± 2.01 vs. 16.00 ± 1.82); EPDS-2 (10.03 ± 3.15 vs. 13.82 ± 2.97). Mandala coloring is an effective method for reducing symptoms of postpartum blues and postpartum depression in new mothers.