Normalization of Aggressiveness and Anxiety of Foster Children of Adolescent Age Through the Method of Fairy-Tale Therapy

Abstract

The article presents the results of an empirical study of reducing the level of aggressiveness and anxiety in foster adolescents by fairy-tale therapy. The relevance is due to the increase in the number of foster families and the lack of knowledge of methods of psychological correction of negative manifestations in the emotional and behavioral spheres in foster children. The study involved 62 adolescents aged 12–16 years (M=13,4; SD=1,2), among which 23 boys and 39 girls) living in foster homes in Gomel. The experimental group included 31 teenagers from foster families, with each of whom correctional work was carried out by the method of fairy-tale therapy. The control group consisted of 31 teenagers from foster families. The study used the questionnaire “Diagnosis of the State of Aggression” by A. Bass, A. Darki (adapted by A.K. Osnitsky, 1998), the B. Phillips School Anxiety Test (adapted by N.P. Kondratieva, 1995). Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that the average values for such scales as physical aggression and hostility index significantly decreased. In the experimental group, compared with the control group, the average values for such scales of aggression as suspicion and hostility index significantly decreased at the III diagnostic cross-section. Adolescents of the experimental group feel confident in communicating with teachers, and the excitement of answering the teacher in adolescents of this group is within the normal range. At the same time, the number of adolescents of the experimental group after corrective action, who adequately and calmly respond to relationships with adults at school, increased.