Analysis of the effect of art therapy on the grieving process in children based on Winnicott s play space theory: An empirical study

سحر صنیعی¹ محسن ضیائی²

1) نویسنده مسئول
2) نویسنده همراه

IOI Code : AZDD-AAGAFB
Publication : 4th.International Congress on Management, Economy, Humanities and Business Development(4icmba.ir)
Abstract :
    This article examines the impact of art therapy on the grieving process in children. This study uses Winnicott s play space theory as a theoretical framework to show how art activities can help children process the emotions of grief. This research was conducted experimentally on a group of children aged 6 to 12 years who had lost a close family member. The results show that art therapy can help children process complex emotions such as sadness, anxiety, and fear and allow them to communicate with their grieving process in a creative and non-verbal way. This study examines the impact of painting and playing with paint as an art therapy tool on children s grieving process. Based on Winnicott s play space theory, art therapy, especially painting activities, can provide a safe space for children in which they can non-verbally and creatively deal with the complex emotions of grief. This research was conducted on children aged 6 to 12 who had lost a close family member. In this study, drawing, especially playing with colors, was used as a means for children to express and process their emotions. Using colors as symbols to express unconscious emotions allows them to express sadness, anxiety, and fear in a non-verbal way. The results show that drawing with specific colors, especially dark and light colors, played an important role in separating and reconstructing the emotions caused by grief and helped children connect with their inner world. The analysis showed that the process of playing with colors, also as a transitional object, allowed children to overcome their anxiety and fears and create a safe mental space for processing grief. Finally, the findings show that drawing and playing with colors, according to Winnicott s theoretical framework, can have significant effects in facilitating the grieving process and increasing the mental health of children exposed to loss.

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