The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of group art therapy, to measure its effect on siblings of developmentally disabled children. It looks into its effects on their psychological-emotional states and whether this therapy increases sel...
The purpose of this study is to examine the benefits of group art therapy, to measure its effect on siblings of developmentally disabled children. It looks into its effects on their psychological-emotional states and whether this therapy increases self esteem, social adjustment and relieves stress. Subject of the study consist of 4 children who voluntarily participated in the art therapy program in disabled person daytime protection center in Geoung Gi Do. A group art therapy programme was carried out once a week from July 2010 to October 2010 for a total of 14 sessions of sixty minutes each. In order to evaluate the research results, SELF-ESTEEM, STRESS, SOCIABILITY MEASURE and DAS drawing tests were executed pre and post sessions.
As a part of a research process, Yalom's therapeutic factors of group therapy were applied to form intimacy and psychological relaxation through 'universality' in its early stage. Also, during its middle stage, it aimed to realize 'corrective recapitulation of the primary family group' by experiencing sublimation process of positive emotions through expressing negative feelings about family, group interactions and support. Lastly, during its latter stage, it aimed to finish safely by confirming support systems and planning positive future through improvement of positive image, supportive experiences and 'development of socialization techniques'.
This research examined the effect of group art therapy on self-esteem, stress, and social adaptive capacity of siblings of developmentally disabled children. The result was that group art therapy was found to improve self-esteem, reduce stress by decreasing negative feelings about family, and increase adaptive capacity through the group process. Therefore, a group art therapy programme can be concluded as being effective in improving self-esteem, reducing stress and improving social adaptive capacity.