A Case Study of Group Art Therapy for Self-expression and Positive Peer-relationship in Children with Borderline Intellectual Functioning

Objectives This study aims to explore the effects of group art therapy on the self-expression and positive peer relationship experiences of children with borderline intellectual functioning. Methods The study was conducted at Y Alternative School in Seoul, targeting 10 children identified as showing borderline intellectual functioning. Among them, 4 participants who consistently attended therapy sessions were selected. The group art therapy was conducted over 16 sessions, once a week for 90 minutes, from August 23, 2023, to December 18, 2023. The participants were divided into two groups, each led by two therapists, including the principal researcher. The sessions involved discussions with the teachers and parents of the participants, art therapy activities, and observational records. Qualitative analysis was performed on the collected data through content analysis and thematic interpretation. Results The results revealed that the program facilitated changes in emotional expression, communication, and peer interactions during the therapy process. Moreover, the children displayed positive shifts in attitudes towards self-expression and relationships with peers. The study identified noticeable progress in their ability to build positive peer relationships and enhanced self-expression capabilities. Conclusions The findings confirm the effectiveness of group art therapy for children with borderline intellectual functioning in fostering positive developmental experiences in self-expression and peer relationships. This study suggests the possibility of developing new forms of therapeutic programs tailored to the needs of this population.