Effects of a sandplay therapy program at a childcare center on children with externalizing behavioral problems

• Published in: The Arts in psychotherapy Vol. 52; pp. 24 - 31
• Main Authors: Han, Youjin, Lee, Yuseon, Suh, Joo Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2017
• Subjects: Aggression; Childcare center; Externalizing behavioral problems; Peer interaction; Sandplay therapy program; Externalizing behavioral problems; Sandplay therapy program; Childcare center; Peer interaction; Aggression
• ISSN: 0197-4556; 1873-5878
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aip.2016.09.008

•Sandplay therapy program was effective in reducing aggression on children.•Sandplay therapy program was effective in reducing negative peer interactions on children.•The usefulness of sandplay therapy programs conducted in childcare centers is discussed. A study was conducted to determine whether a sandplay therapy program conducted with children at a childcare center had an effect on the aggression and the peer interactions for participants for whom externalizing behavioral problems were in evidence. Twenty children aged 4–5 years who had externalizing behavioral problems were assigned to one of two groups based on their age and gender with ten children in the experimental group and ten children in the control group. The experimental group received 30min of sandplay therapy twice a week at their childcare center, for a total of 16 sessions. The control group did not receive any therapy or placebo treatment. Mann-Whitney tests were conducted to confirm the homogeneity between the two groups prior to the initiation of the program. Results indicated that the sandplay therapy program was effective in reducing aggression and negative peer interactions. The usefulness of sandplay therapy programs conducted in childcare centers is presented and discussed.