Mandala Coloring, Stress, and Anxiety

\*\*Abstract\*\* Although pregnancy is a physiological process, it also involves various risks that may threaten the health of both the mother and fetus. Complications arising in high-risk pregnancies and prolonged bed rest increase stress and anxiety levels in women, negatively affecting both physical and psychological well-being. Failure to recognize or appropriately manage these adverse conditions may lead to serious perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, depression, and difficulties in mother-infant bonding, thereby creating an additional burden on both maternal-infant health and the healthcare system. This proposed project aims to examine the effect of mandala coloring activity on perceived stress and anxiety in women with high-risk pregnancies. The study will be conducted as a randomized controlled experimental study with a pretest-posttest design. The population of the study will consist of pregnant women hospitalized in the Obstetrics and Gynecology service of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University Health Practice and Research Hospital. Based on power analysis, with a significance level of α = 0.05 and statistical power of (1-β) = 0.80, at least 26 participants per group were required assuming a large effect size (Cohen's d ≈ 0.80). Considering potential sample loss, 30 participants were planned for each group, resulting in a total sample size of 60. Before data collection, ethics committee approval and institutional permission will be obtained. Data will be collected using the Personal Information Form, the Perceived Stress Scale in Risky Pregnancies Based on the Neuman Systems Model, and the State Anxiety Inventory. Pregnant women in the experimental group will participate in mandala coloring once daily for three consecutive days. Stress and anxiety levels will be assessed before and after the intervention using the relevant scales. In addition to descriptive statistical methods, appropriate statistical tests will be used according to normality assumptions. The methods specified in the project will be carried out by the principal investigator under the supervision of the advisor. The project is expected to demonstrate that mandala coloring is effective in reducing stress and anxiety in women with high-risk pregnancies. In line with the goals emphasized in Türkiye's 12th Development Plan regarding innovative healthcare practices and strengthening public health, the findings are expected to contribute to the protection of maternal and infant health and the promotion of psychological well-being. Furthermore, by supporting reductions in medication use, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs, the project may contribute to the dissemination of cost-effective, accessible, and holistic care approaches within the healthcare system. Mandala coloring is an easily applicable, side-effect-free, and low-cost method that does not require special equipment, technical expertise, or a professional art therapist. In this respect, it represents a sustainable non-pharmacological intervention that can be easily implemented by nurses in both hospital settings and community-based healthcare services, with almost no training or material costs. Therefore, the findings of this project are expected to support not only individual-level psychological relaxation but also the development of cost-effective, innovative, and accessible care models in healthcare services. The project outcomes are also expected to strengthen the holistic care approach in nursing and promote the integration of non-pharmacological interventions into clinical protocols. The findings of the study will be published in scientific journals and presented at national and international congresses. In addition, this research will contribute to the literature and provide a basis for the development of more comprehensive future projects. One of the most important outcomes of this research is that it will enable an undergraduate student to gain experience in conducting research, interpreting results, and preparing for publication, thereby contributing to the training of qualified researchers in priority areas of our country.

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 years or older * Able to read, write, and communicate in Turkish * Singleton pregnancy * Hospitalized with a diagnosis of a high-risk pregnancy (e.g., threatened preterm labor, gestational hypertension, mild preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), oligohydramnios, stable premature rupture of membranes risk \[excluding PPROM\], maternal obesity, etc.) * Planned hospitalization of at least 3 days to ensure completion of the intervention * Between 20 and 36 weeks of gestation Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of a fetal anomaly or fetal distress * Gestational age below 20 weeks or above 36 weeks * Imminent delivery or active labor * Communication difficulties (e.g., hearing or visual impairment, or inability to communicate effectively in Turkish) * Diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder * Previous participation in similar psychosocial or mind-body interventions