The purpose of this study is to see how the self-expression art therapy affects on the chronic
schizophrenic patient in a mental health facility.
The participants were 6 men, who were in mental health facility of I city, and were diagnosed
as chronic schizophrenia, and showed a remarkable rack of spontaneously verbal self-expression and physical self-expression. The total session was 22sessions and It took about 90 minutes to 120minutes per one session. The supportive art therapy was committed to supply a sense of spontaneous expression and achievement for patients while working with a variety of art materials and getting concrete objects. The behavior change observation per sessions were committed and the pre and post test of K-HTP, LMT were committed.
Followings were the conclusions from the study results,
First, the self-expression art therapy on the chronic schizophrenic patient had a positive
effect on patients' spontaneous self-expression, especially the patients showed interest on the
art work and made directive eye contact to the researcher comparing the early session.
Second, the frequency of spontaneous work without direction or support of co-workers had
been increased since 10th session.
Third, the result of pre and post test of K-HTP, LMT showed also the stable handwriting
and integration of picture constructs. In addition, most pictures were filled with a variety of
constructs and colours. Also, the perception of figure and ability of body organization were
improved.
Implications for counseling practice and future research were suggested.
Key Words : Art therapy, Schizophrenic patient, self-expression, mental health facility