The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of group art therapy in which both mandala drawing centered on plane work and ceramic art centered on solid work are presented on the anxiety and self-esteem of single mothers who live in facil...
The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of group art therapy in which both mandala drawing centered on plane work and ceramic art centered on solid work are presented on the anxiety and self-esteem of single mothers who live in facilities.
The subjects of this study were seven single mothers who lived in a shelter located in G city. They were explained of the program and expressed consent for volunteering. The therapy program was performed twice a weak and a total 12 times (60min per time) between August 1 and September 28. In order to verify the effects of the group art therapy, the author and one art therapist recorded observation log to analyze the changes through considering the curing times. Then, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Self-Esteem Test were performed before and after the program, and the results were analyzed.
The conclusions of this study based on the results are as follows:
Firstly, as for the changes per each time, the group art therapy had effects of both reducing the anxiety and enhancing the self-esteem of single mothers.
In the search stage, the subjects were lacking of self-confidence and passively participated in the program, but as the program was processed, they expressed reactions showing comfortableness and composedness. Unlike the search stage when the subjects chose easy activities, they voluntarily joined in working with increasing the anticipation and satisfaction on their own works. In the completion stage, the subjects were stabilized emotionally, reduced of anxiety, and expressed their own future positively. They selected activities, invested their efforts on them, and expressed accomplishment and satisfaction with enduring patience.
Secondly, the program affected the reduction of anxiety.
The results of STAI before and after the program were 125.14 and 104.42 respectively, showing a decrease of 20.72. Therefore, the group art therapy was proved to be effective on the reduction of the anxiety of single mothers.
Thirdly, the program affected the increase of self-esteem.
The results of the Self-Esteem Test before and after the program were 83.28 and 109.14 on average respectively, showing an increase of 25.86. Therefore, the group art therapy was proved to be effective on the enhancement of single mothers.
Based on the above-mentioned results, the proposals for further studies are as follows:
Firstly, further studies are necessary to increase the validity through comparing experiment group and control group.
Secondly, more subjects and recurrent performances and studies should be provided in order to generalize the effects of the group art therapy centered on mandala drawing and ceramic art.
The processing of this study showed that the group art therapy centered on mandala drawing and ceramic art could affect decreasing the anxiety and increasing the self-esteem of single mothers.
It is expected that the group art therapy centered on mandala drawing and ceramic art would be useful to help single mothers living in shelters achieve psychological stability and plan their future positively.