This study aimed to examine the effect of the improvement in the self expressive attitude of children by considering the environmental and psychological characteristics of a small group of children in low income families who tend to have less confidence and encounter difficulties with self-expression and by applying the integrated Gestalt art therapy to the self expressive training program. This program is composed of 12 sessions, of which centerpiece is self-expressive training that is based on the cognitive behavioral approach. To boost the positive effect on the self expressive attitude, art therapeutic techniques were employed which are psychological therapy.
The early part of this paper focused on the sensory perception and self-recognition and expanded into the self-understanding.
The middle part of this study dealt with the positive way of specific self-expression and expanded into the self-expression in families.
The latter part of this study touched on the subject related to the sharing of inner experience and positive experience of interaction.
To determine the effect of program, the children were surveyed to figure out the improvement in their self expressive attitude by comparing the pre-program scores and post-program scores and examining the most unconfident area. The findings of the survey indicated that the children improved their self expressive attitude.
The positive improvement in the scores, inner experience, and the self-expressive attitude may be the result of training program related to the self expressive attitude. However, this program will help the children in low income families, who tend to have less confident and face difficulties with self-expression, share the experience and ideas that have much to do with the self-recognition and perception from the psychological and social perspective, as well as cognitive perspective, which will boost their inner stability and help them overcome their chronic lack of self-expressive ability.