Art therapy techniques in psychological correction of child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities

Abstract

The subject of this research is the child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities. The goal is to determine the areas of possible application of art therapy techniques in psychological correction of child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities. The theoretical-methodological framework contains subject-activity and systemic approaches, as well as provisions on the structure and functions of child-parent relations, views on child-parent relations of N. Y. Sinyagina; the concept of systemic art therapy by A. I. Kopytin. In the course of this study, the author applies the methods of testing, interview, psychological experiment, and observation. The theoretical importance of this work consists in systematization of theoretical provisions on the problem and substantiation of possibilities of application of art therapy techniques in psychological correction of child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities. The acquired results obtained can be valuable for psychologists dealing with foster families that raise children with disabilities, which defines the practical significance of this research. The scientific novelty lies in development of the program of art therapy classes for correction of child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities. The research results may significantly contribute to the extension of representations on capabilities of psychological correction of child-parent relations in substitute families raising children with disabilities via implementation of art therapy techniques. The author indicates the improvement in child-parent relations: alleviation of child’s the sense of deprivation; better emotional contact between parent and child; emotional closeness; increase of the authoritative strategy of family upbringing; higher level of parents’ acceptance; optimization of parenting