PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF OVERCOMING LIFE CRISIS OF PERSON THROUGH TRANSFORMATIONAL GAMES AND METAPHORICAL ASSOCIATIVE CARDS
Abstract
The article presents a comprehensive study of the psychological mechanisms of overcoming a personal life crisis through modern interactive psychotechnologies – transformational games (TGs) and metaphoric associative cards (MACs). Based on a theoretical analysis, the paper generalizes the approaches of classical, humanistic, existential, art therapy, and resource-oriented psychology to the problem of life crises. Special attention is given to the role of interactive methods in working with crisis states. The mechanisms of action of MACs and transformational games are revealed as projective tools that integrate symbolic thinking, emotional experience, and active interaction within a safe therapeutic space. The synergistic effect of their combination is substantiated: MACs help to actualize inner images, while transformational games allow these images to be experienced through active participation, facilitating awareness of personal resources and the formation of new life strategies.
The empirical part presents a formative experiment conducted among 40 respondents, who were experiencing life changes. Standardized psychodiagnostic tools were used: the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, HADS, Spielberger–Khanin Anxiety Test, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the SAN well-being scale. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of applying MACs and TGs in psychological counseling, psychotherapy, emotional intelligence development programs, as well as in rehabilitation and crisis intervention centers. Practical recommendations are provided for integrating these methods into the work of psychologists, including client preparation algorithms, relaxation techniques, and maintaining an «insight diary».
The results confirm that metaphoric associative cards and transformational games are effective tools for psychological support, self-discovery, and personal transformation. They open new perspectives for the development of integrative psychotherapeutic approaches in modern Ukrainian psychology.
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