The effect of group sandplay therapy on the social anxiety, loneliness and self-expression of migrant women in international marriages in South Korea

Recently, the number of international married couples in South Korea has been increasing and thus the related negative social phenomena, which have been observed in other multicultural societies, are also increasing. The purpose of this study was to implement group sandplay therapy on migrant women in international marriages in Korea and Verify that this intervention was effective in relieving the women's social anxiety and loneliness and improving the self-expression. The results indicated that using sandplay, women who immigrated to and live in Korea for marriage can reduce negative emotions related to anxiety and loneliness, and produce positive self-expressions, while making their own world.

► In this study we implement group sandplay therapy on migrant women in international marriages in Korea. ► Our findings indicate that women who immigrate to Korea for marriage can reduce negative emotions and anxiety by engaging group sand play. ► The group therapy also produces positive self-expression and decreases negative self-expression, while helping the women to produce their own world.