The Effects of Sandplay Therapy on the Behavioral Problems, Self-esteem, and Emotional Intelligence of Children in Grandparents-grandchildren Families in Rural Korean Areas

This study aimed to verify the effects of sandplay therapy on the behavioral problems, self-esteem, and emotional intelligence of children in grandparents-grandchildren families in rural Korean areas. To this end, the researcher selected fifteen children for an experimental group and another fifteen children for a control group from grandparents-grandchildren families in a rural area. The selection process was conducted in cooperation with three elementary schools and seven local children centers in A and B cities in South Chungcheong Province. Those children who participated in the study underwent a forty-minute session of sandplay therapy every week for twelve weeks. The following pre and post-tests were administered to the subjects: the Teacher's Report Form, which assesses a student's adaption ability and behavioral problems; the Selfesteem Scale, which was reconfigured from the Self-esteem Inventory; and the Emotional Intelligence Scale. The results of this study showed that sandplay therapy was effective in improving behavioral problems as well as the self-esteem and emotional intelligence of children in grandparents-grandchildren families in rural areas.