집단미술치료가 시설아동의 스트레스와 자아존중감에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effects of group art therapy in decreasing stress in children in care centers and their increase in self-esteem. Children in care centers have not experienced the dedicated love of parents and the attachment to family as they were sent to care centers and have stayed there from when they were young. This has resulted in low self-esteem, less experience in socialization, and more stress due to prejudicial treatment. Such psychological difficulty may cause them to have formed a negative way of thinking and will lead to an unhealthy life after they mature. For this, this study provided art therapy programs to relieve negative thinking and stress and to enhance self-esteem to activate social interaction. The subjects of this study were 12 primary students in grade 3, 4, and 5 who are residing in B care center in A city. There were a further 2 in the group but they were left out due to their delayed intelligence. This study was done with the permission of a social worker at the center. With the purpose to identify the effects of group art therapy on decreasing stress and the enhancement of self-esteem, this study carried out a self-esteem test using dot drawing, and categorized the subjects into a test group made up of 6 of the subjects and control group of 6. To achieve the goals of the study, the art therapy program was categorized into three steps: In Step 1, Sessions 1-3 were used to build up rapport between the therapist and each group, and to relieve tension, the program was intended to encourage the subjects to have flexibility through physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. In Step 2, Sessions 4-14, both individuals and group programs were provided. The subjects were encouraged to have spontaneity and the opportunity to express themselves using various artistic media. Through the program, they expressed their stress and feelings, shared their ideas, their experiences with other members, gave positive meaning to themselves, enhanced their own recognition, and had less stress and conflicts and more self-esteem. In Step 3, Sessions 15-17, each member could overcome his or her stress and recognize themselves positively through individual and group activities. The activities focused on relieving stress and the enhancement of self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. For a qualitative assessment, the study used a PITR test and an HTP test and compared the changes in stress and self-esteem before and after the program. For a quantitative assessment, the subjects were interviewed with the use of a questionnaire on stress and self-esteem and the changes were analyzed before and after the activities. The results obtained through the study are presented as follows: First, it was examined whether group art therapy is effective in decreasing the stress in subjects. It was discovered, through the PITR test, that the stress of the test group decreased after the program and they had more ability to act socially. Therefore, it was demonstrated that group art therapy has a positive effect on the decrease of stress in children in care centers. Second, the study examined whether group art therapy is effective for enhancement of the self-esteem of the subjects and the results are: In respect to the enhancement in the self-esteem of the subjects, the study formally analyzed the impression and content of their art works and they were shown to change positively after the program through a qualitative test, but there was no significant change in the quantitative test. As it is thought that the results of the quantitative test showed the limits of the study according to the number of subjects, subsequent studies on the efficacy of group art therapy are needed. Based on the results above, it is suggested that group art therapy is helpful in overcoming stress and feelings of being isolated. Through this program, children in care centers can learn to express their feelings more actively, enjoy personal and group experiences through interaction and develop their own methods to relieve stress. To help them have less stress and enhance their self-esteem as they grow up, continuous research on art psychotherapy is needed.