Developing positive self-concepts in institutionalized children with severe behavior disorders.

This study investigated the capacity of one intervention--a modified creative dramatics program--for development of positive self-concept and creative expression in children. Using a sample of both institutionalized (n = 44) and noninstitutionalized (n = 38) children, the study indicated that the intervention group significantly improved on both self-concept and creative expression measures. The most improvement, moreover, was noted in subjects who were both institutionalized and behavior-disordered.