The Effect of Group Sandplay Therapy on Loneliness and Anxiety among Mongolian International Students in Korea

This study examined the effectiveness of group Sandplay therapy in alleviating loneliness and anxiety among Mongolian adolescents aged 17–19 attending two universities in City C, Korea. Participants were identified as being in a state requiring attention, with loneliness scores of 40 or higher out of 80 and anxiety scores of 25 or higher out of 84. All participants took part in eight 90-minute sessions held once a week, conducted entirely in Mongolian. The research outcome showed significant reductions in loneliness and anxiety scores, and participants also indicated improvements in emotional difficulties in each Sandplay session. These findings suggest that Sandplay therapy is effective in reducing loneliness and anxiety among Mongolian international students and, furthermore, serves as a valuable psychotherapeutic intervention that fosters insight and alleviation of emotional and relational issues that may have originated prior to their study abroad experience.