The aim of the study was to examine effects of a sand tray for self-growth on parenting stress of mothers with disabled children. A parenting stress test was conducted to mothers belonging to an association of the parents with disabled children, and s...
The aim of the study was to examine effects of a sand tray for self-growth on parenting stress of mothers with disabled children. A parenting stress test was conducted to mothers belonging to an association of the parents with disabled children, and six mothers with high stress level were selected. They were randomly assigned to a test group for three people and a control group for another three. The research tasks were as follows: first, to examine effects of a sand tray for self-growth on parenting stress reduction for a mother with a disabled child; second, to examine whether the sand tray improves self-esteem and self acceptance of the mother with disabled child; third, to examine whether the sand tray changes verbal expression of the mother positively; and fourth, to examine subject matter of the sand tray creation of the mother. The program was comprised of forming familiarity, self-discovery and exploration, self acceptance and understanding, enhancing self-esteem and behavior, and completion. A relaxation activity was practiced in each session by using an imaginative mental trip. The program was implemented twice a week for 10 times and each session had a theme and activities suitable for the theme.
Changes in parenting stress of the mother with disabled child were compared with the scores of the self-report test before, after, and as a follow up of the program. Changes in self-growth were measured by the score comparison of the self-esteem and self-acceptance test before, after, and as a follow up of the program. Changes in parenting stress per session were analyzed by measuring frequency of the previous session's verbal expression changes. Changes in sand tray creation were analyzed qualitatively and described accordingly.
The results of the study are as follows:
First, the sand tray reduced the parenting stress of the mother with disabled child. Second, the sand tray improved self-esteem and self-acceptance of the mother. Third, positive verbal expression of the mother during the session increased and negative verbal expression decreased regarding the verbal expression changes. Fourth, repressed thoughts and emotions of the mother were freely expressed in sand tray creation during the process of the program. Subsequently mothers gained a new self-recognition and recognition of their family, obtained self-esteem by creative activities, the empathy and support from other participants, and showed a receptive attitude towards the self and others.
Although the study was a short-term case study of a relatively small number of participants with limitations for a generalization, the results of the study showed that the sand tray for self-growth had a positive effect on reducing parenting stress of the mothers with disabled children.