Reflections from Happiness Themed Drawings by Refugee Children

Abstract

The current research aimed to identify the symbols reflected in the happiness themed drawings by seven, nine and ten year old refugee children, and to evaluate these symbols from a sociopsychological perspective. The research was designed based on the qualitative research model with phenomenological pattern. The study group consisted of 11 refugee children attending primary school in a central district. The data collection tools of the research comprised the children’s drawings, records of the interviews made with them about their drawings, and participant observer notes. The data obtained were analysed by the content analysis technique. It was determined in the end of the research that bigger objects in children’s drawings (houses, apples, apple trees, ladders, gardens, etc.) represented the place where they used to live in. Therefore, these elements were considered to be the symbols of their longing for the past and their happiness relating to those times. Accompanying these bigger objects, on the other hand, smaller human figures with missing limbs, obscure drawings, objects depicted away from the sun, contrasting objects (the sun and dark clouds) and contrasting colours show that the children experience complicated emotions with pessimistic, worried and insecure feelings in addition to the feelings of longing. It is believed that their happiness can be increased and their adaptation to the society can be facilitated by organising in and out of school social activities for improving their communication with their peers and their citizenship integration, and by encouraging them to participate in such activities.