This study aimed to inquiry what a premarital couple experiences on art therapy and signify it. This study collected data and interpreted them according to the narrative inquiry method of Clandinin & Connelly(2004/2007) to contain the unique meani...
This study aimed to inquiry what a premarital couple experiences on art therapy and signify it. This study collected data and interpreted them according to the narrative inquiry method of Clandinin & Connelly(2004/2007) to contain the unique meaning of the experience. To the collection of data for the study, the researcher conducted 13 art therapy programs and in-depth interviews from May to September 2019 for the premarital couple.
Through art therapy, the premarital couple looked back on their growing up process and relationship with their parent in childhood, explored ‘me’ in existence, expressed their respective representations of home and future vision, and shared them with the prospective spouse.
By analyzing the collected data, the researcher derived 10 semantic themes and classified them into four categories as follows: <Understanding of me: Putting the vertical puzzle together>, <Understanding of prospective spouse: Putting the horizontal puzzle together>, <Coordination and change>, <Integration and toward the future>.
The conclusions from this study that were summarized based on the above are as follows :
First, the premarital couple integrated the understanding of their life history through art therapy and
re-recognized ‘me’ in existence.
Second, art therapy became a field for sharing the experience and meaning of life for the premarital couple,
and this expanded the understanding of each other from the whole life perspective.
Third, the premarital couple experienced expression of sincere mind and acceptance through art therapy,
and this solidified their relationship based on mutual support.
Fourth, the premarital couple regained the power of self-healing with experiencing the pleasure of
creation through art therapy.
This study shows that art therapy is an effective tool to promote healthy self-differentiation and prevent predicted marital conflict by improving understanding of self and prospective spouse.
Keywords : Art Therapy, Premarital Couple, Narrative Inquiry