D.Litt. et Phil. / The psychological impact of childhood sexual abuse has been widely researched. Despite the numerous negative effects cited in the literature, few studies have focused on the treatment of children within this population group. Furthermore, a minority of research has investigated the efficacy of group therapy and art therapy as a treatment approach with these children, and even fewer studies have focused on the combination of group art therapy. Evident is particularly the lack of control groups consisting of sexually abused children with which to compare results and utilise as an indicator of treatment effect. The most prevalent symptoms found among sexually abused children seem to include depression and anxiety. Although fewer studies have focused on variables such as sexual trauma and self-esteem, these symptoms also seem common. Children between the age of 7 and 13 years seem to experience the most negative consequences associated with sexual abuse, and seem to be particularly susceptible to the development of emotional, behavioural, cognitive, and social difficulties. The purpose of the present study was to design a group art therapy intervention aimed at reducing depression, anxiety, sexual trauma, and low self-esteem, and to evaluate the success rate of the programme using the Solomon four-group design. The Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children and the Human Figure Drawing were used as measures for assessing symptom change both within and between the four groups. A sample of 25 sexually abused girls, aged 8 to 11 years was recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Criteria for selection further involved having the ability to speak English and living with a non-offending caretaker. For practical reasons groups were selected from children’s homes in the Gauteng area. The sample consisted of four groups, namely two experimental groups and two control groups, whereby the experimental groups received the treatment and the control groups did not. The first experimental group and the first control group were assessed prior to and after termination of the therapy. The purpose was to measure the degree of change as a result of the intervention. The control groups were provided with the therapy after the post-test had been administered. Results indicate that the experimental group improved significantly compared to the control groups with regard to anxiety, depression and sexual trauma. Furthermore, in the absence of the intervention the control group demonstrated deterioration between the pre- and post-test. The study indicates a high success rate using the group art therapy intervention. It is anticipated that the value of this study may further enhance the quality of future research on this topic.

This study aimed to construct, and implement an in-school "art expression" based programme designed to aid in mitigation of psychological stress, behavioural difficulties, and self-negativity frequently experienced by marginalised children. It was developed for application within schools that cater for children exposed to neglect and/or abuse resulting from poverty in South Africa. This programme outline was developed and implemented through intensive exploration and review of previously effective art therapy, art expressive methods and techniques in similar contexts, together with the knowledge and experience of a qualified art therapist and educational psychologist. Data was collected through open-ended informal qualitative interviews, observations, and photographs of artworks produced during sessions. These were then analysed in conjunction, using the content analysis method, visual interpretive measures and thematic analysis. This enquiry documented the process of art creation through "art expression", and its ability to ameliorate psychological difficulties affecting marginalised children in South Africa. Following the establishment of trust between the researchers and the participants, the results found that the use of different art modalities demonstrated predominantly positive results in varying degrees. It is hoped that this study can be used to further practical interventions of this nature in comparable milieus in South Africa.

No description available.

As an MFA candidate at the Florida Atlantic University, I began in figurative painting and ended with abstract ink and pencil drawings in my thesis work. In between was a progression of artistic experimentation in theme, technique and medium to explore issues of female identity and childhood sexual abuse. From a girl trapped in a dark fairytale to a pregnant woman followed by a pedophile to a new mother frustrated that her own ambitions have been usurped, the final transformation of female identity into fierce protector came after confronting memories of child abuse. Using India ink and pencil drawings, my thesis work recreates scenes of a struggle between the same attacker and a powerful mother. She spins her own hair into a delicate, but powerful, barrier that keeps her daughter safe. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.F.A.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2014.. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

This project was funded by the Department for Families and Communities A collaboration between Ibrahim Sefer, newly arrived boys and girls aged between 4 and 14 years from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds and the Migrant Health Service (Adelaide Central Community Health Service).

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Toronto, 2004. / Adviser: Mary Beattie.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology)--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / This study focused on South African siblings' experiences of a brother or sister with cancer. Social constructionism was used as an epistemological framework. Three in-depth interviews with siblings (ages 12 – 16 years) of pediatric cancer patients, were done. The case study approach was chosen as the most suitable method to gain the information. The thematic content analysis was the method of analysis. Participants' experiences with regard to their siblings' cancer were reconstructed according to themes. Recurring themes were elucidated and linked with the literature. The study allowed participants to express their conscious and unconscious experiences by means of verbal and non-verbal (art activities) communication. Results support the concern by previous studies about siblings' vulnerability since the diagnosis of a brother's/sister's cancer. The uniqueness of each sib's experience and the implementation of individualy-centered intervention strategies is emphasized. Educational Psychologists as well as members of the multidisciplinary team (teachers, medical and nursing staff, parents, family and peers) interested in supporting siblings of pediatric cancer patients can benefit from this study.

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The focus of this study is a reflection by an educational psychologist of a five year old girl and her use of art media during her therapy sessions. The rational behind art therapy is that underlying feelings and problems are brought to the surface through the interaction with art media and art production (Oster & Crone, 2004). This enables the client to perceive the problem visually and learn how to process it. Educational psychologists are not necessarily trained to do art therapy. However the use of creative media can form part of their practice. A principle of art therapy – to create a safe environment for the person to work uninterrupted, was used in this study. A qualitative ex post facto study was used to complete this research. This entails a study of an occurrence (a child‟s use of art media in therapy) after it has been observed by the researcher. The aim of this research was to study, by means of a case study, a five year old girl‟s interaction with art media such as paint, clay and felt-tip pens throughout her therapy process. The amount of time spent with media, techniques and colours used, symbols made, as well as verbal and non-verbal behavior was observed. The participant‟s therapy sessions and informal interviews with her mother were recorded on video. The videotapes were studied and field notes of these, together with personal records and the artistic products that resulted from her sessions were used for data-collection. In addition and to enrich the study the possible meaning of the symbols depicted were also discussed. Inductive data-analyses (bottom to top) were used to process the data. The researcher‟s perspective during the study was of a reflective practitioner. The description of the participant‟s interaction with art media showed that she became more involved with it as time passed. There were noticeable changes in her use of colour, techniques and media. A positive change in her verbal and nonverbal behaviour was observed towards the end of her therapy-process.

Thesis (PhD (Education))-University of Pretoria, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references.

University of the Witwatersrand Department of Humanities Wits School of the Arts Drama for Life: (MADT) Master of Arts in Drama Therapy / The body has always fascinated me! As a classically trained dancer with a Physical Theatre background, I learnt to use my body as a means of expressing myself. I saw the body as a means to performance, but I believed there was more to the body than just being put on show. In University I learnt about and came to understand the mind-body connection (Plamer, 2009). This interested me and I began to search deeper, with the question that if the body and mind are connected, where are our human memories stored? I have always wondered what moves me and what moves the people around me… This research was a platform for me to look into the notion of the mind, body connection and memory. Through the use of story and movement, I began to consider bullying as a memory which the body and mind both experience. Through the research I focused on where the body had stored this experience and what were the effects of this stored memory (the aftermath). The rest of this paper unpacks my research and my findings working with a client centred approach. In this paper I speak back to the approach I took during the research process, using Laban’s 8 Effort actions, Lahad’s 6 Part Story Method and Whitehouse’s Authentic Movement as part of the integration process speaking back to bullying.