Please read the abstract in the section dissertation. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / In this study Gestalttechniques within a group work-program as intervention was used to bring awaiting-trail youth in detention in contact with themselves and to broaden their awareness. The goal of the research is to determine if the Gestalt groupworkprogram have a influence on the self-image and general satisfaction of the awaiting-trail adolescent. To reach the above goal the researcher used applied research. Standardised measure-instruments as well as observation was used. Gestaltgroupwork can be implemented with great success in residential institutions like secure care facilities for children. / In hierdie studie is Gestalttegnieke binne 'n groepwerkprogram benut as intervensie, om die verhoorafwagtende jeugdige in aanhouding weer in kontak te bring met homself en om sy bewustheidskontinuum te vergroot. Die doel van die navorsing was om te bepaal of die Gestaltgroepwerkprogram 'n invloed sal he op die selfbeeld en algemene tevredenheid van die verhoorafwagtende adolessent. Om bogenoemde te bereik het die navorser toegepaste navorsing onderneem en het van sowel waarneming as gestandaardiseerde meetinstrumente gebruik gemaak. Die teoretiese onderbou van die behandelingsprogram wat gebruik is spruit uit die Gestaltterapie en kan met groot sukses geimplementeer word in residensiele inrigtings soos bewaarsorgsentrums vir kinders. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

Text in Afrikaans / In this study Gestalttechniques within a group work-program as intervention was used to bring awaiting-trail youth in detention in contact with themselves and to broaden their awareness. The goal of the research is to determine if the Gestalt groupworkprogram have a influence on the self-image and general satisfaction of the awaiting-trail adolescent. To reach the above goal the researcher used applied research. Standardised measure-instruments as well as observation was used. Gestaltgroupwork can be implemented with great success in residential institutions like secure care facilities for children. / In hierdie studie is Gestalttegnieke binne 'n groepwerkprogram benut as intervensie, om die verhoorafwagtende jeugdige in aanhouding weer in kontak te bring met homself en om sy bewustheidskontinuum te vergroot. Die doel van die navorsing was om te bepaal of die Gestaltgroepwerkprogram 'n invloed sal he op die selfbeeld en algemene tevredenheid van die verhoorafwagtende adolessent. Om bogenoemde te bereik het die navorser toegepaste navorsing onderneem en het van sowel waarneming as gestandaardiseerde meetinstrumente gebruik gemaak. Die teoretiese onderbou van die behandelingsprogram wat gebruik is spruit uit die Gestaltterapie en kan met groot sukses geimplementeer word in residensiele inrigtings soos bewaarsorgsentrums vir kinders. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

The single parent family in an inner city context is confronted with a problematic life situation. The demands, which are brought about by single parenthood as well as residence in an inner city environment, often lead to inappropriate parenting. The single parent child is often disrupted on an emotional and social level as a result. In many cases the child handles this disruption inappropriately. The single parent family has a need for resources in the community in order to ensure the continuous emotional, social, psychic and physical well being of its separate members. Involvement in gestalt group work can already be regarded as such an important resource available to the single parent child. Through this research study an investigation was made into the efficiency of a gestalt group work programme in the empowerment of the single parent child to handle the negative experiences of the single parent situation, such as feelings of guilt, anger, confusion, fear, inadequacy, loss, and sorrow and depression. Gestalt group work offers an opportunity to the child to share feelings and experiences regarding the single parent situation within the group context and to receive support from the therapists and other group members. This process strengthens the child’s inner self and the child is empowered to self-support. A complete and refined gestalt group work programme was developed and evaluated from the findings of a literature study and empirical study. The process of intervention research was followed during the empirical study. Data was obtained from seven single parent children in their late middle childhood years in an inner city context and their single parents. The combined quantitative-qualitative approach was used for this purpose according to the dominant-less-dominant model of Creswell. The single-systems design was used to test the effectiveness of the programme. The quantitative findings were obtained by self-developed questionnaires for the child respondents and their single parents, before and after the gestalt group work programme. The qualitative findings were obtained by unstructured observation during the gestalt group work sessions. According to the integration of the quantitative and qualitative findings, the conclusion can be made that the gestalt group work programme brought about an improvement in the child respondents’ emotional and social levels of functioning and their appropriate handling of feelings. The findings obtained, suggest that the developed gestalt group work programme can be implemented with confidence with single parent children in their late middle childhood years in an inner city context. Further research on the development and evaluation of a gestalt group work programme, specifically presented to the single parents, in order to guide and support them in the handling of their experiences of the single parent situation, is strongly suggested. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The adolescent with specific barriers to learning often exhibit socio-emotional problems. Conversely, adolescents experiencing socio-emotional upsets do not achieve academically. The exact nature of the relationship is difficult or nearly impossible to elucidate. The aim of this study was to establish the specific challenges that the adolescent learner with barriers to learning with an average or above average intelligence, experiences on socio-emotional level and to take these feelings, experiences and needs as a lancer basis to develop and implement a social work intervention programme. Also to evaluate the effect of this programme on the socio-emotional functioning and academic progress of the adolescents involved. The process of intervention research was followed during the empirical study. The combined, two-phase approach of Cresswell was used for data gathering. The one group pre-test post-test was utilized for the evaluation of the effectiveness of the social work intervention programme. The Child functioning inventory High School (CFI – High) was used to gather information during the quantitative phase. This study focused on the socio-emotional functioning and challenges of the adolescent learner with specific barriers to learning and used Gestalt play therapy within a group context to address these challenges. During the qualitative phase two focus group discussions were held where the experiences, emotions and challenges of adolescents with specific barriers to learning were discussed with a group of five girls and five boys. Based on data gathered from these discussions, and a literature study a social work intervention programme was developed and implemented. This programme consisted of play therapy techniques within the Gestalt therapy framework. The social work intervention programme consisted of ten group sessions of about 90 minutes each, with a group of five girls and a group of five boys. The respondents were between 14 to 16 years, of an average to above average intelligence, and were referred to the social worker of a branch of Child Welfare: South Africa, Mpumalanga because of socio-emotional problems. This study attempted to incorporate the essential elements of Gestalt therapy, various play therapy techniques and the dynamics of group work into a programme to address socio-emotional issues experienced by the adolescent learner with barriers to learning. Socio-emotional aspects that were conceptualised and specifically evaluated are: positive functioning elements, self perception, trauma dynamics, interpersonal relationships and decision making abilities. Based on the findings, the conclusion could be made that the social work intervention programme brought about an improvement in the socio-emotional functioning and the academic progress of the respondents. / Thesis (PhD (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / PhD / unrestricted