A Study on the Symbols in the Sandplay Therapy of Children in Divorced Families by Age

Abstract

This study focused on the sandplay therapy process of 8 children of divorced families by age and analyzed these cases by applying the qualitative case study method according to Stake’s (1995) reactive evaluation. We found, first, among the children of divorced families, that the symbol revealed in the sandpictures of the youngest (7-year-old) children was a negative maternal symbol. Second, the symbol revealed in the sandpictures of the next oldest (9-year-old) children was alchemical purification and transformation. Third, the symbol revealed in the sandpictures of children at the end of childhood (11 years old) was self-arrangement and struggle. Fourth, the symbol revealed in the sandpictures of children aged 12 to 13, the early age of adolescents, was the appearance of the paternal circle. The results revealed the development of a masculine consciousness that overcame dependence on motherhood and transitioned into a patriarchal world. In this way, the children of divorced families re-enactment relationships through symbols in the process of sandplay therapy to achieve self- development by age, deconstructing the mental structures, and reaching the stage of self-arrangement, revealing their progress toward growth.