The Effect of the Food Expression Art Therapy Group Counseling Program on the Interpersonal Relationship and Happiness of Prospective Early Childhood Teachers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the impact on the interpersonal relationships and happiness of prospective early childhood teachers by applying a group counseling program for food expression art therapy. Eight fourth-grade students attending the Department of Early Childhood Education at G University in G City were selected to conduct a group counseling program applying food expression art therapy once a week for 90 minutes. Along with the program's progress, prospective early childhood teachers' interpersonal relationships and happiness were measured in pre- and post-extract, and repeated measurement variance analysis was conducted to verify the program's effectiveness according to the experimental design. In this study, the interpersonal relationship of prospective early childhood teachers was significant, and the subscale satisfaction, communication, trust, familiarity, sensitivity, openness, and understanding were all significant. In addition to happiness, subscale satisfaction and positive and negative emotions were also significant. The group counseling program applying food expression art therapy positively affects prospective early childhood teachers' interpersonal relationships and happiness, so it is necessary to expand this program.