선택적 함구증 아동 대상 미술치료 효과에 관한 질적 메타분석

A Qualitative Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Art Therapy on Children with Selective Mutism

This study aims to explore the effects of art therapy on children with selective mutism through a qualitative meta-analysis. To achieve this, eight case studies focusing on art therapy for children with selective mutism were selected and analyzed. The analysis identified four major themes ‘Improvement in Interpersonal Relationships’, ‘Psychological Stability’, ‘Ego Strengthening’, and ‘Enhancement of Expressive Ability’ along with seven sub-themes, which represent the core changes facilitated by art therapy in children with selective mutism. Furthermore, based on the findings, this study discusses the potential for expanding the application of art therapy beyond selective mutism to individuals experiencing psychological difficulties due to challenges in verbal expression. Given the characteristics of children with selective mutism, it is emphasized that a comprehensive analysis of both descriptive data and the therapeutic process is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and behavioral changes observed during art therapy. This study aims to address the following research questions: What are the major effects of art therapy on children with selective mutism? Through a qualitative meta-analysis, this study synthesizes the findings of qualitative research on art therapy for children with selective mutism, integrates and reinterprets the results, and seeks to provide additional insight with regard to the effects of art therapy while also contributing to its broader application.