A study published in the Journal of Mental Health reveals that colouring on phones and tablets can effectively reduce stress, depression, and anxiety in young people, similar to traditional methods with pencils and paper. Dr. Emma Palmer Cooper, an Associate Professor in Psychology at the University of Southampton and the study's lead researcher, emphasized that while much research highlights the negative impacts of mobile devices, the effects of screen time can vary based on the type of activity.
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Previous findings indicated that colouring can foster wellbeing by enhancing awareness, helping individuals focus, and distracting from negative thoughts. To explore whether digital colouring has similar benefits, researchers invited nearly 300 university students to participate in a mindfulness colouring program, comprising at least six sessions over two weeks. Participants were divided into two groups: one used traditional colouring tools, while the other engaged with digital colouring applications.
Students completed questionnaires measuring their wellbeing before and after the program. Both groups exhibited significant improvements in stress, mindfulness, and self-reported symptoms of depression and anxiety, with the most notable benefits observed in those who reported poorer wellbeing prior to the sessions.
Dr. Palmer Cooper noted that transitioning to university can be challenging for young people. She suggested that in addition to institutional support, mindful colouring offers a low-cost method to enhance mental wellbeing, although it may not attract everyone's interest. Given that digital devices are often more accessible than traditional colouring materials, the study highlights the potential of this approach to promote mental health, shifting the focus from merely the dangers of screen time to exploring its positive uses.