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. 2026 Aug 19;14:e83540. doi: 10.2196/83540

Table 6. Themes and subthemes from qualitative analysis.

Theme and subthemes Codes
Emotion regulation
 Record daily emotions Immediate recording, emotionally salient moments, daily reflection, emotional release, reframing past experiences, sense of lightness
 Identify emotional state Color emotion association, self-reflection, positive feedback, expressing inner emotions, new opportunity for awareness
 Express through coloring Emotional release, catharsis, relief after expression, symbolic representation of anger, satisfaction through coloring, emotional recording
 Share coloring works Casual sharing, positive emotions for sharing, balancing openness and privacy, minimal sharing tendency, curiosity about others’ expressions
 Enhance emotional awareness Recognizing emotional patterns, forced expression leading to awareness, improved self-expression, greater ability to articulate feelings, linking emotions to daily events, accumulated reflection
User experience
 Motivation Convenience, good results with less time and effort, achievement, sense of accomplishment, reflection, emotional linkage, history tracking
 Immersion Focus on simple tasks, soothing mood, commemorative value, aesthetic dissatisfaction, color & emotion mismatch, uniformity
 Relaxation Pressure release, emotional expression, mood improvement, relaxation through expression, venting feelings
 Enjoyment Improved mood, emotional expression, reflection on feelings, lightness, mood change through drawing
 Suggestions for improvement Avoid rigid templates, customizable color emotion mapping, free drawing options, custom emojis, meme-based creativity, balance between freedom and usability, statistical tracking features, emotional sticker wall, need for social interaction features, social engagement opportunities, brush usability