집단미술치료가 지역아동센터 아동의 자아존중감과 또래관계에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study aims to identify the effect of group art therapy on Self-esteem and Peer Relationship of children in local care centers. As many children in care centers do not have satisfactory attention and protection from their parents because of poor conditions in their families, they lack in sociability and self-esteem which have to be formed in the childhood. So, as they do not have smooth peer or personal relations because they are stubborn or introspect, they cause troubles or feel isolated. If such condition persists, they may have problems in social life when they are grown up. Therefore, educational programs or methods to help them to overcome such weak points should be developed for normal personal relations. In consideration of it, this study aims to demonstrate the effect of group art therapy on self-esteem and peer relations of children in care centers. For the purpose, the study divided ten children from low-income families in care centers into test group made of 5 and control group of 5, and provided group art therapy programs for them as follows: 60 minutes twice a week in a total of 16 sessions from August 2, 2011 to September 27, 2011. As a result of analysing the group art therapy qualitatively in aspects of self-esteem and peer relations, it was discovered: in the beginning step, it seemed that the subjects did not consider others as they had low self-esteem due to their self-centered behaviors, anger to their environment and negative personality so that negative feedbacks were used. However, in the midium step, they unconsciously revealed their feelings through repetitive art works and showed higher consideration of others through recognition of others and mutual interaction. In the final step, they respected and encouraged each other through joint work of art. Thus, it was discovered that group art therapy had a positive effect on changes in behaviors as it encouraged the subjects to intensify positive self-awareness process and to have higher self-esteem. In considering the results above, it was confirmed that group art therapy is effective in enhancing self-esteem, peer relations of the children in care centers.