A Qualitative Case Study on the Effects of Peer Relationships and Gratitude Disposition on Spiritual Quotient (SQ) in Children Using Community After-School Care Centers

This study explores the effects of a program on children's internal growth and psychosocial adjustment through the Together Care Center (Dahamkke Dolbom Centre).The Together Care Center serves as a crucial niche space providing safe living environments, emotional support, and even meals for children of working parents and those needing after-school care.It holds significant value in addressing gaps in current childcare by serving as a safe space where children can spend their idle time between attending private academies.The Physical-Cognitive SQ (Somatic Quotient) Enhancement Program consisted of eight sessions.Seven elementary school students (3 boys, 4 girls) from a Together Care Center in I-dong, G-city participated in 40-minute weekly sessions over eight weeks.To assess peer relationships and gratitude, researchers reconstructed 12 interview questions to explore the children's emotional experiences and feelings of gratitude toward parents, friends, neighbours, and the local community.Researchers interviewed children about their peer relationships and gratitude tendencies before the program.They re-evaluated them through post-program interviews after they participated in the eight-session Physical-Cognitive SQ Enhancement Program.The results showed that through physical-cognitive play activities, the children came to recognise others' help and support, demonstrating positive changes in self-emotional understanding, respect for others, and cooperative attitudes.Furthermore, gratitude and SQ had a significant impact on internal growth, self-integration, and stress coping, promoting emotional stability, relationship building, and a sense of self-transcendent solidarity.These findings provide foundational data supporting children's character development and psychosocial adjustment through the Physical-Cognitive SQ Enhancement Program in care environments, offering a practical alternative for use in community care settings.