Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Psychology, Faculty of Human Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Iran.
2 Faculty of Visual Arts, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Orphaned and abandoned children growing up in a loveless and unsafe environment are endangered, facing social, mental, and ethical crises. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of art therapy with a humanistic approach on the theory of mind and self-concept of the orphaned and abandoned children in Isfahan. The research was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population was made up of 7- to 12-year-old orphaned and abandoned children in Isfahan. The samples have been collected in a convenient manner among 3 orphanages located in Isfahan, and at least thirty-two 7- to 12-year-old children were put in control (16 children) and the experimental group (16 children). The theory of mind test (1999) and children's self-concept scale (1963) were used as pre- and post-tests. Ten 90-minute sessions were held for the experimental group, with homework in every session. The results were analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance and Pearson correlation methods using SPSS 26 software. The results show that art therapy with a humanistic approach has a meaningful effect on the self-concept and theory of mind of orphaned and abandoned children. In addition, there is a meaningful relationship between the theory of mind and the self-concept of these children. The results indicated that using art as a humanistic therapy can be a good foundation for therapy based on child, environment, and therapist cooperation and improve the self-concept and theory of mind of orphaned and abandoned children.
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