Migratory phenomenon and expressive sandwork in vulnerable populations

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Child Development

Background:

• The global migration phenomenon presents a crisis with significant psychological, social, and existential effects.
• Wars, human rights violations, and violence are primary drivers of forced displacement and asylum seeking.
• Vulnerable children experiencing migration often lack access to adequate psychotherapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the psychological and existential effects of migration on children.
• To investigate the efficacy of Expressive Sandwork (ES) as a therapeutic intervention for displaced children.
• To highlight ES as a Jungian psychosocial intervention for contemporary transitional periods.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing Expressive Sandwork (ES), a transcultural, non-verbal therapeutic method.
• Focusing on symbolic processes and empathetic accompaniment to facilitate psychological support.
• Implementing ES projects in Latin America, specifically Colombia and Argentina, with vulnerable child populations.

Main Results:

• ES facilitates the emergence of symbolic images, fostering reconnection with children's creative potential.
• The method aids in activating the self-regulation processes of the psyche in children affected by migration.
• Observed positive effects in children participating in ES projects in Colombia and Argentina.

Conclusions:

• Expressive Sandwork is an effective Jungian psychosocial intervention for children impacted by migration.
• The non-verbal, symbolic approach of ES supports psychological healing and self-regulation in vulnerable youth.
• ES offers a vital therapeutic avenue where traditional psychotherapy is inaccessible.