The Effect of Filial Therapy on Physically Disabled Mothers' Empathy Ability and their Non-Disabled Children's Behavior Problems

Abstract

The present research attempts to identify the effect of filial therapy on the empathy ability of physically disabled mothers and their non-disabled children\'s behavior. The experiment group of 6 physically disabled women were selected with the help of the association of disabled women of a city located in Choongcheongnam-do Province. The sessions of the therapy program ran weekly from March to April 2013: each of the 10 sessions lasted 1 and a half hours including a pre-test and a post-test. First, filial therapy enhanced the empathy ability of the experiment group, in comparison with the control group. Second, a variety of positive behavioral changes were observed in the process of participating in their therapy sessions: they became more receptive of the emotions of their non-disabled children, and less prescriptive and more supportive in children-led plays. Third, it was found that overall behavioral problems of the children of the experiment group were improved in contrast to those of the control group. The filial therapy was found to be effective in improving these problems of non-disabled children. Keywords: Behavior Problem, Empathy, Filial Therapy, Non-Disabled Children, Physically Disabled Women