Thesis (MA)--Georgia State University, 2005. / Gabriel P. Kuperminc, committee chair ; Julia Perilla, Greg Jurkovic, committee members. Includes bibliographical references (p. 38-41).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Minnesota, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 173-187).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 133-142). Also available via the Internet.

This study was designed to examine the degree to which a small group counseling intervention resulted in attitudinal and behavioral change with adolescent boys identified by their school principals as having conduct problems. An eight-week cognitive-behavioral intervention was co-led by pairs of student services personnel made up of school psychologists, school social workers, and school counselors. The anger management program, called "Better Ways of Getting Mad," was designed from Morganett's Skills for Living: Group Counseling Activities for Young Adolescents (1990). Participants were 87 sixth- or seventh-grade boys at seven middle schools in Prince William County, Virginia, who were not in any special education program. A pretest-posttest, experimental/control group design was used. Variables studied were the extent of the conduct problems measured by the number of discipline referrals and scores on the Conduct Problem Scale of the Conners’ Teacher Rating Scale-39 (CTRS-39); the experience of anger measured by the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI); the expression of anger measured by STAXI; and the cognitive understanding of anger and anger expression measured by the Morganett inventory. Posttest differences between Experimental and Control groups were examined through analyses of covariance. The extent of conduct problems was found to be less for the experimental group than for the control group. A lower number of discipline referrals was also noted. However, neither of these differences were statistically significant. Students who participated in the counseling intervention did not show less intensity in state and trait anger. While students in the experimental group showed an anger expression index score lower than that of the control group score, this was not statistically significant. A significantly higher score in cognitive understanding was found in the experimental group. / Ed. D.

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of equine assisted group counseling as compared to in-school curriculum group guidance/counseling. Research examined externalizing, internalizing, maladaptive, and adaptive behaviors of elementary and middle school students who were considered at-risk of academic or social failure. Two types of behavior instruments, the Behavioral Assessment System for Children (BASC)-Self-Rating, Parent-Rating, and Teacher-Rating Scales; and the Animal Assisted Therapy-Psychosocial Session Form (AAT-PSF), were used in a pretest-posttest comparison group quasi experimental design. Results of the paired sample t-test analysis of the BASC Self-Report indicated that the equine assisted counseling group showed statistically significant improvement in five behavior areas, and the in-school curriculum group guidance/counseling group showed statistically significant improvement in four areas, with only one behavior area the same as the equine assisted counseling group. Results of the paired sample t-test analysis of the BASC Parent-Report indicated that the equine assisted counseling group showed statistically significant improvement in twelve behavior areas, whereas the in-school curriculum group guidance/counseling showed statistically significant improvement in only one behavior area. Results of the paired sample t-test analysis of the BASC Teacher-Report indicated that the equine assisted counseling group showed no statistically significant improvement; however the in-school curriculum group guidance/counseling group showed statistically significant improvement in one area. An ANCOVA comparison of equine assisted counseling group verses in-school curriculum guidance/counseling group using the BASC Self, Parent, and Teacher-Reports indicated that the equine assisted counseling group showed statistically significant improvement in seven behavior areas that the in-school curriculum guidance/counseling group did not. Results of the repeated measures ANOVA of the AAT-PSF (equine assisted counseling group only) showed statistically significant improvement in all 3-scale scores: 1) overall total behaviors; 2) increased positive behaviors; and 3) decreased negative behaviors.

Movement in Gestalt therapeutic intervention, using structured activities and free improvisations, is a successful alternative to punishing adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies in the classroom. An overview of the existing literature regarding the therapeutic value of movement in Gestalt therapeutic intervention for adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies is firstly presented. Various techniques supporting the adolescent in his quest to achieve equilibrium, ultimately improving his relationships with others and his environment, are described. A case study, involving eight adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies in group therapy follows, which indicates that movement in Gestalt therapy is an alternative to punishment. In the light hereof it is suggested that movement in Gestalt therapy could be implemented successfully in the formal school environment. This form of intervention can contribute to the adolescent's growth, his ability to communicate and his relationships with self, others and the environment, culminating in improved behavioural tendencies. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Egskeidings en daaropvolgende hersaamgestelde gesinne neem toe. Die literatuur sowel as praktykervaring van die navorser het bewys dat die aanpassing in 'n hersaamgestelde gesin veral vir die adolessent traumaties is. Uit 'n literatuurstudie is bepaal watter probleme/behoeftes adolessente in hersaamgestelde gesinne ervaar. Die nominale groepstegniek is gebruik ten einde probleme/behoeftes te verfyn. Dit het uitgewys dat probleme in hersaamgestelde gesinne voortspruitend is uit kommunikasieprobleme. Die groepwerkproram met stiefadolessente is dus daarvolgen opgestel. Psigodrama word beskou as die mees ideale benadering in groepwerk met adolessente. Twee meetskale is gebruik, te wete 'n kommunikasievraelys en die Hudson-indeks wat gewysig is vanaf ouerlike verhoudings na stiefouerlike verhoudings. 'n Voorondersoek groep is met vyf stiefadolessente oor vyf byeenkomste en 'n eksperimentele groep met tien stiefadolessente oor tien byeenkomste aangebied. Voor- en nameting is gedoen. Op beide meetskale is groei in vaardighede gemeet en is die navorser se doelstelling bereik / Divorces and remarriages are increasing. The literature study and practical experience of the researcher, has shown that the adaption to remarriage is the most traumatic for adolescents. A literature study was done to determine the problems/needs of adolescents in remarried families. The nominal group technique was then used to refine the problems/needs. The results showed clearly that problems in remarried families are a result of communication problems. The group work programme with stepadolescents was therefore composed. Psychodrama is the most ideal method in working with adolescents. Two measuring instruments were used, namely the communication questionnaire and the Hudson-index which was modified from parentchild relationships to step-parental relationships. A pilot study group with five step-adolescents over five meetings and an experimental group was then held with ten step-adolescents over a period of ten meetings were held. Measurement was done before and after the group meetings. Both measuring instruments recorded growth in skills and the researcher's objective was reached / Social Work / M.A. (Sosiale Wetenskappe)

Movement in Gestalt therapeutic intervention, using structured activities and free improvisations, is a successful alternative to punishing adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies in the classroom. An overview of the existing literature regarding the therapeutic value of movement in Gestalt therapeutic intervention for adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies is firstly presented. Various techniques supporting the adolescent in his quest to achieve equilibrium, ultimately improving his relationships with others and his environment, are described. A case study, involving eight adolescents with disruptive behavioural tendencies in group therapy follows, which indicates that movement in Gestalt therapy is an alternative to punishment. In the light hereof it is suggested that movement in Gestalt therapy could be implemented successfully in the formal school environment. This form of intervention can contribute to the adolescent's growth, his ability to communicate and his relationships with self, others and the environment, culminating in improved behavioural tendencies. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Egskeidings en daaropvolgende hersaamgestelde gesinne neem toe. Die literatuur sowel as praktykervaring van die navorser het bewys dat die aanpassing in 'n hersaamgestelde gesin veral vir die adolessent traumaties is. Uit 'n literatuurstudie is bepaal watter probleme/behoeftes adolessente in hersaamgestelde gesinne ervaar. Die nominale groepstegniek is gebruik ten einde probleme/behoeftes te verfyn. Dit het uitgewys dat probleme in hersaamgestelde gesinne voortspruitend is uit kommunikasieprobleme. Die groepwerkproram met stiefadolessente is dus daarvolgen opgestel. Psigodrama word beskou as die mees ideale benadering in groepwerk met adolessente. Twee meetskale is gebruik, te wete 'n kommunikasievraelys en die Hudson-indeks wat gewysig is vanaf ouerlike verhoudings na stiefouerlike verhoudings. 'n Voorondersoek groep is met vyf stiefadolessente oor vyf byeenkomste en 'n eksperimentele groep met tien stiefadolessente oor tien byeenkomste aangebied. Voor- en nameting is gedoen. Op beide meetskale is groei in vaardighede gemeet en is die navorser se doelstelling bereik / Divorces and remarriages are increasing. The literature study and practical experience of the researcher, has shown that the adaption to remarriage is the most traumatic for adolescents. A literature study was done to determine the problems/needs of adolescents in remarried families. The nominal group technique was then used to refine the problems/needs. The results showed clearly that problems in remarried families are a result of communication problems. The group work programme with stepadolescents was therefore composed. Psychodrama is the most ideal method in working with adolescents. Two measuring instruments were used, namely the communication questionnaire and the Hudson-index which was modified from parentchild relationships to step-parental relationships. A pilot study group with five step-adolescents over five meetings and an experimental group was then held with ten step-adolescents over a period of ten meetings were held. Measurement was done before and after the group meetings. Both measuring instruments recorded growth in skills and the researcher's objective was reached / Social Work / M.A. (Sosiale Wetenskappe)