The focus of this research study is on establishing emotional awareness in the child in her middle childhood that finds herself in a children's home. Emphasis is placed on the effect that structured Gestalt group therapy has on the development of emotional awareness in the child in a children's home and how it can be utilized to positively support the process of emotional awareness. The main aim of the study is to investigate, evaluate and describe the impact of structured gestalt group therapy on the emotional awareness of the child in a children's home, for play therapists to use within this context. / SOCIAL WORK / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

This study is a subdivision of an inter-university research project to investigate the psychological resilience of children in the late middle childhood years. The title of the umbrella project is Psychological resilience in children in the South African context. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between social support and self-concept, as well as to establish whether gender differences occur with regard to the experience of social support and the evaluation of self-concept. Schools in different regions were identified in order to make the sample as large and the study as representative as possible of the different provinces, racial and language groups in South Africa. The children in the samples were randomly selected from class lists. The complete test battery was subsequently administered to these children. For the purpose of this study only the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale, the Social Support Appraisal Scale and the Biographical Questionnaire were used. Due to practical problems, the final figures of the samples varied between 549 and 918 participants. The processing of the data was done by the Statistical Consultation Service of the North West University Potchefstroom Campus. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used as an effect size to determine the relationship between social support and self-concept. T-tests and Cohen's effect sizes were used to determine whether gender differences occur with regard to social support and self-concept. The statistical processing of the results revealed that a positive correlation exists between social support and self-concept. These results are corresponding with the literature (Collins, 2000; Kirkcaldy, Shephard & Stiefen, 2002; Malecki 8 Demaray, 2002; Marjoribanks & Mboya, 2001; Van Tassel-Baska & Olszewski-Kubilius, 1994). Further, the results showed that no gender differences that were both statistically significant and practically meaningful occurred with regards to social support and self-concept. These results were repeatedly inconsistent with the literature (Bee, 1992; Dubow & Ullman, 1989; Harris, Rosenthal & Snodgrass, 1986; Hirsch & Rapkin, 1987; Piers, 1984; Werner & Smith, 1982). Finally, the last section of this investigation provides recommendations for further studies in this area, as well as practical suggestions for the implementation of the findings. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005

Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.

This study is a subdivision of an inter-university research project to investigate the psychological resilience of children in the late middle childhood years. The title of the umbrella project is Psychological resilience in children in the South African context. The aim of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between social support and self-concept, as well as to establish whether gender differences occur with regard to the experience of social support and the evaluation of self-concept. Schools in different regions were identified in order to make the sample as large and the study as representative as possible of the different provinces, racial and language groups in South Africa. The children in the samples were randomly selected from class lists. The complete test battery was subsequently administered to these children. For the purpose of this study only the Piers-Harris Children's Self-concept Scale, the Social Support Appraisal Scale and the Biographical Questionnaire were used. Due to practical problems, the final figures of the samples varied between 549 and 918 participants. The processing of the data was done by the Statistical Consultation Service of the North West University Potchefstroom Campus. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used as an effect size to determine the relationship between social support and self-concept. T-tests and Cohen's effect sizes were used to determine whether gender differences occur with regard to social support and self-concept. The statistical processing of the results revealed that a positive correlation exists between social support and self-concept. These results are corresponding with the literature (Collins, 2000; Kirkcaldy, Shephard & Stiefen, 2002; Malecki 8 Demaray, 2002; Marjoribanks & Mboya, 2001; Van Tassel-Baska & Olszewski-Kubilius, 1994). Further, the results showed that no gender differences that were both statistically significant and practically meaningful occurred with regards to social support and self-concept. These results were repeatedly inconsistent with the literature (Bee, 1992; Dubow & Ullman, 1989; Harris, Rosenthal & Snodgrass, 1986; Hirsch & Rapkin, 1987; Piers, 1984; Werner & Smith, 1982). Finally, the last section of this investigation provides recommendations for further studies in this area, as well as practical suggestions for the implementation of the findings. / Thesis (M.A. (Clinical Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005

Assessing the attachment between a child and caregiver is an important task within the social worker's professional domain. This is mostly restricted due to a lack of training and expertise with regard to methods and techniques used in assessing attachment. The identified problem led to the implementation of a descriptive study aimed at exploring effectiveness of scales for the assessment of attachment between the child in the middle childhood years and his/her caregiver. The goal was achieved by studying and exploring available practices derived from an extensive literature review and empirical study. Seven social workers in Bloemfontein participated in the study. Target-sampling was undertaken to ensure that participants represented different areas in the work-field that employ the assessment of attachment. Social workers in South Africa show preference to qualitative assessment procedures, including an assessment of the child, an assessment of the caregiver, observation and a collateral investigation. Although such an approach is generally consistent with literature, the present study highlighted an additional need for the standardization of assessment scales for attachment in middle childhood to be utilized in conjunction with qualitative methods of assessment. The literature review confirmed the availability of a range of reliable scales, though not validated thoroughly, but thus far unexplored by social workers in South Africa. A qualitative approach within the Developmental and Utilization Model enabled the researcher to conduct an in-depth analysis of the existing problem. Information was gathered with regard to relevant aspects of attachment in middle childhood in a successful attempt to formulate guidelines for the development of an effective model for the assessment of attachment between the child in middle childhood years and his caregiver. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Assessing the attachment between a child and caregiver is an important task within the social worker's professional domain. This is mostly restricted due to a lack of training and expertise with regard to methods and techniques used in assessing attachment. The identified problem led to the implementation of a descriptive study aimed at exploring effectiveness of scales for the assessment of attachment between the child in the middle childhood years and his/her caregiver. The goal was achieved by studying and exploring available practices derived from an extensive literature review and empirical study. Seven social workers in Bloemfontein participated in the study. Target-sampling was undertaken to ensure that participants represented different areas in the work-field that employ the assessment of attachment. Social workers in South Africa show preference to qualitative assessment procedures, including an assessment of the child, an assessment of the caregiver, observation and a collateral investigation. Although such an approach is generally consistent with literature, the present study highlighted an additional need for the standardization of assessment scales for attachment in middle childhood to be utilized in conjunction with qualitative methods of assessment. The literature review confirmed the availability of a range of reliable scales, though not validated thoroughly, but thus far unexplored by social workers in South Africa. A qualitative approach within the Developmental and Utilization Model enabled the researcher to conduct an in-depth analysis of the existing problem. Information was gathered with regard to relevant aspects of attachment in middle childhood in a successful attempt to formulate guidelines for the development of an effective model for the assessment of attachment between the child in middle childhood years and his caregiver. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The focus of this research study is on establishing emotional awareness in the child in her middle childhood that finds herself in a children's home. Emphasis is placed on the effect that structured Gestalt group therapy has on the development of emotional awareness in the child in a children's home and how it can be utilized to positively support the process of emotional awareness. The main aim of the study is to investigate, evaluate and describe the impact of structured gestalt group therapy on the emotional awareness of the child in a children's home, for play therapists to use within this context. / SOCIAL WORK / MDIAC (PLAY THERAPY)

The objective of this research was to establish what the influence of gestalt group playtherapy on the self-esteem of primary schoolgirls in a children’s home would be. The goals of the research were to build a knowledge basis by means of a literature study and consultation with experts in the field. The aim of this knowledge basis was the needs and developmental characteristics of the middle childhood years, the characteristics and problems encountered by the children’s home child, to assess by means of an empirical study what the influence of gestalt group playtherapy on the self-esteem of the child in the middle childhood years in a children’s home would be and the nature and scope of gestalt therapy. The study also had the further aim to make recommendations for the use and appropriate application of social workers working in the field of children’s welfare, especially the children’s home. For the empirical study the dominant-less-dominant model was used. The dominant data collection measure that was used, was of the quantitative kind with a small component of qualitative study to support the last mentioned quantitative investigation. Six respondents were identified and engaged in eight group playtherapeutic sessions. Applied research was used as the researcher aimed to find a solution for the problem of low self-esteem in specific children, namely the primary school child in the children’s home. The research resorted under the sub-category of intervention-knowledge-development. This type of research focuses on the practical application of research. The research design that researcher utilized, was the quasi-experimental design where one group pretest-posttest was being used. This design is useful to assess how an independent variable would influence a specific group. The data collection methods used were questionnaires, unstructured observation and the study of respondent’s case records. Empirical data results indicated the following: - the child in a children’s home has weak self-esteem; - the child in a children’s home has problems binding with the peer group; - respondents could already identify and regulate emotions in themselves and understand that emotions are not always correctly observed and interpreted in others; - respondent were very negative towards the children’s home and their committal to the home; - gestalt group playtherapy has a significant influence on the self-esteem of the above mentioned child. The research lead to specific recommendations addressed to parents, teachers, social workers and housemothers aiding them regarding the improvement of a child’s self-esteem. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

The changed appearance as a result of burns for a child in middle childhood years has several implications in terms of its physical, emotional, and social development. It seems that the burnt child in middle childhood years can benefit from therapeutic assistance, and specifically, empowerment. As far as the researcher could determine, Gestalt play therapy has not yet been utilized for this purpose nor has there been research done in connection to this. For the purpose of this study, the value of the Gestalt play therapy process, as described by Oaklander, in empowering the burn victim in the middle childhood years is explored and described. Consultations with experts as well as a literature review was undertaken in order to obtain background information about the Gestalt play therapy process, with specific reference to the empowerment aspect as well as the implications of the burn wounds and burn marks on the burn victim in the middle childhood years. The literature studied produced a theoretical framework within which this study was performed. Following the literature review, an empirical investigation into Gestalt play therapy was used, with the focus on empowerment. A qualitative study was conducted with a single case study as data collection method. For the duration of the empirical study, 17 therapeutic sessions were conducted with the participant, within the framework of qualitative research investigation. Data collected was described, analysed, and verified through a literature study. This study came to the conclusion that the Gestalt play therapy process is valuable in the empowerment of a burn victim in middle childhood years. It was particularly the therapeutic relationship and the elements that focused on the strengthening of the self, which was valuable in empowering the participant. The information is described in an article according to the guidelines for the Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk journal entitled: “Empowerment of a burn victim through the Gestalt play therapy process”. Various elements are discussed respectively as used in the case study to empower the child. Section A provides an introduction and explanation of the study, which includes the rationale and problem statement for the study and research methodology. The article that followed, is discussed in Section B. Conclusions and recommendations that arose from this study are discussed in Section C. Section D contains the compiled bibliography, and appendices are in Section E. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The changed appearance as a result of burns for a child in middle childhood years has several implications in terms of its physical, emotional, and social development. It seems that the burnt child in middle childhood years can benefit from therapeutic assistance, and specifically, empowerment. As far as the researcher could determine, Gestalt play therapy has not yet been utilized for this purpose nor has there been research done in connection to this. For the purpose of this study, the value of the Gestalt play therapy process, as described by Oaklander, in empowering the burn victim in the middle childhood years is explored and described. Consultations with experts as well as a literature review was undertaken in order to obtain background information about the Gestalt play therapy process, with specific reference to the empowerment aspect as well as the implications of the burn wounds and burn marks on the burn victim in the middle childhood years. The literature studied produced a theoretical framework within which this study was performed. Following the literature review, an empirical investigation into Gestalt play therapy was used, with the focus on empowerment. A qualitative study was conducted with a single case study as data collection method. For the duration of the empirical study, 17 therapeutic sessions were conducted with the participant, within the framework of qualitative research investigation. Data collected was described, analysed, and verified through a literature study. This study came to the conclusion that the Gestalt play therapy process is valuable in the empowerment of a burn victim in middle childhood years. It was particularly the therapeutic relationship and the elements that focused on the strengthening of the self, which was valuable in empowering the participant. The information is described in an article according to the guidelines for the Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk journal entitled: “Empowerment of a burn victim through the Gestalt play therapy process”. Various elements are discussed respectively as used in the case study to empower the child. Section A provides an introduction and explanation of the study, which includes the rationale and problem statement for the study and research methodology. The article that followed, is discussed in Section B. Conclusions and recommendations that arose from this study are discussed in Section C. Section D contains the compiled bibliography, and appendices are in Section E. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.