This study is to inquire into the effect of the group art therapy program with AP(Active Parenting Now) and the general group art therapy program on the self-efficacy and the occupational stress of childcare teachers. The study subject was 18 childcare teachers in J city. For nine of them, the group art therapy with AP was carried out, and for the other nine teachers, the general group therapy was carried out. Each programs were carried out during 11 sessions for 120 minutes a week. To compare the effect of the two programs on the two groups, pretest and post test were carried out. The data materials were analyzed by SPSS(17.0 for Windows), and by which ANCOVA was carried out. The results are as follows. Firstly, it is found out that the self-efficacy of the group by the group art therapy program with AP improves more than that of the group by the general group art therapy. Secondly, it is found out that the occupational stress of the group by the group art therapy program with AP reduces more than that of the group by the general group art therapy. These results mean that the group art therapy program with AP, which approaches both on cognitive part by AP education and on emotional part by art therapy is more effective on the improvement of self-efficacy and the reduction of occupational stress than the general group art therapy, which approaches on emotional part by art therapy. Therefore, the group art therapy with AP is expected to contribute to efficient teachings and mental health of childcare teachers.
Key Words: Childcare teachers, Group art therapy with AP, Group art therapy, Self-efficacy, Occupational stress