This study describes and evaluates the possible stress experience of a child in his/her middle–childhood years during an social work interview in forensic practice. The possible use of a music intervention was investigated in order to alleviate the stress levels of a child while being interviewed. The function of a social worker in forensic practice is to gain information from the alledged victim about the alleged abuse during two to at the most three interviews. Various factors may influence this process. Children undergoing a forensic assessment are possibly experiencing residual stress as a result of the trauma he/she has experienced, his/her cognitive appraisal of the event, or the interview itself. Furthermore, the cognitive development of a child in the middle–childhood years also influences his/her statement. The research was aimed at determining: – the presence of stress in a child while being interviewed in forensic practice – whether the introduction of a music intervention during the interview in forensic practice can alleviate the stress levels of a child – whether a lower stress level in a child results in a more complete and applicable statement The experimental and the control group consisted of six participants each. They were obtained from the case load of the researcher. Participants were allocated to the experimental and control group alternatively in the order in which they were referred for assessment. The participants of the experimental group were exposed to Mozart’s serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenata no 13 in G major). The participants of the control group were not exposed to a music intervention. The data collection included: – Pulse and blood pressure measurement – A self–developed stress scale to evaluate the participants' bodily experience of stress – A self–developed rating scale to determine the participants' non–verbal stress–related behaviour – A self–developed rating scale to measure the qualitative aspect of the participants' statements The research results cannot be generalised due to the small test sample group. However, certain tendencies could be identified. According to the research results a child in his/her middle–childhood years does not experience excessive stress during interviews in forensic practice. This finding is based on the fact that the pulse and blood pressure measurements were within normal limits. However, the pulse rate of the experimental group was lower during the post–measurement. This could indicate that, to a certain extent, the experimental group's participants felt more relaxed. In addition, the presence of a music intervention had a positive effect on the behaviour of the experimental group's participants during the interviews, in that their behaviour was less disruptive. This may indicate that they felt more relaxed during the interview. The presence of a music intervention during interviews in forensic practice also appears to lead to a slightly better quality of statements. If a better quality statement can be obtained from the child it will result in better service to the courts and, indirectly, to the child. Further studies should follow up on these tendencies. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

This study describes and evaluates the possible stress experience of a child in his/her middle–childhood years during an social work interview in forensic practice. The possible use of a music intervention was investigated in order to alleviate the stress levels of a child while being interviewed. The function of a social worker in forensic practice is to gain information from the alledged victim about the alleged abuse during two to at the most three interviews. Various factors may influence this process. Children undergoing a forensic assessment are possibly experiencing residual stress as a result of the trauma he/she has experienced, his/her cognitive appraisal of the event, or the interview itself. Furthermore, the cognitive development of a child in the middle–childhood years also influences his/her statement. The research was aimed at determining: – the presence of stress in a child while being interviewed in forensic practice – whether the introduction of a music intervention during the interview in forensic practice can alleviate the stress levels of a child – whether a lower stress level in a child results in a more complete and applicable statement The experimental and the control group consisted of six participants each. They were obtained from the case load of the researcher. Participants were allocated to the experimental and control group alternatively in the order in which they were referred for assessment. The participants of the experimental group were exposed to Mozart’s serenade, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (Serenata no 13 in G major). The participants of the control group were not exposed to a music intervention. The data collection included: – Pulse and blood pressure measurement – A self–developed stress scale to evaluate the participants' bodily experience of stress – A self–developed rating scale to determine the participants' non–verbal stress–related behaviour – A self–developed rating scale to measure the qualitative aspect of the participants' statements The research results cannot be generalised due to the small test sample group. However, certain tendencies could be identified. According to the research results a child in his/her middle–childhood years does not experience excessive stress during interviews in forensic practice. This finding is based on the fact that the pulse and blood pressure measurements were within normal limits. However, the pulse rate of the experimental group was lower during the post–measurement. This could indicate that, to a certain extent, the experimental group's participants felt more relaxed. In addition, the presence of a music intervention had a positive effect on the behaviour of the experimental group's participants during the interviews, in that their behaviour was less disruptive. This may indicate that they felt more relaxed during the interview. The presence of a music intervention during interviews in forensic practice also appears to lead to a slightly better quality of statements. If a better quality statement can be obtained from the child it will result in better service to the courts and, indirectly, to the child. Further studies should follow up on these tendencies. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The research dealt with three girls in middle childhood years, in a children’s home, who were experiencing difficulties with self-blame. These difficulties were addressed through play therapy sessions using the ‘gestalt’ approach with the life story book as an aid. The motivation for the study originated during discussions with the social workers at the Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home. During these discussions the researcher became aware of the vast number of children in the caseloads of the social workers at Abraham Kriel/Maria Kloppers Children’s Home, who blame themselves for being removed from their parents’ custody. The purpose of the study was to determine whether the life story book could be used as an aid in play therapy sessions focussing on the self-blame of girls in middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. To achieve the goal of this study, a literature study was done regarding the middle childhood years, self-blame, the child in a children’s home and the use of the life story book in play therapy. An empirical study was conducted on the use of the life story book regarding the self-blame of three girls in the middle childhood years, living in a children’s home. Finally the researcher made conclusions and recommendations regarding the use of the life story book, after taking into consideration both the literature study and the empirical study. The investigation was based on applied research. For the purpose of this study, three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home were identified by means of purposive sampling. The girls participated in six play therapy sessions each. From this empirical research, it was clear that the life story book could be successfully used in play therapy, focussing on self-blame, with the three girls in middle childhood years living in a children’s home. As an outcome of this study, conclusions and recommendations were formulated. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work / unrestricted

Every child has the constitutional right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect or abuse. However, contrasting every child's constitutional right is the escalating worldwide prevalence of child sexual abuse. The incidence of child sexual abuse must be reduced as far as possible by a multi-faceted approach, including effective prevention programmes which facilitate disclosure and empower children. Since insufficient South African research on prevention programmes and preventative measures are available, the primary aim of the study was to develop a board game which can foster the prevention of sexual abuse of children. Scientifically, the motivation for the study was based on the improved understanding of the educational impact of a board game as primary prevention tool. The researcher developed the HOOC board game as part of the Hands Off Our Children Campaign. The board game, being practical and educational, has the goal of teaching children self-protective behaviours that can lower their probability of being abused. A representative sample of 1697 grade four learners, nine to twelve years of age, were selected from the Metropole East region. In order to determine the educational impact of the HOOC board game, the results of the children on the Children's Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire-Revised (CKAQ-RIII) in the experimental and control groups were compared. The experimental group (n=407) received the board game as intervention. The control group (n=1290) did not receive any intervention. Performance on the test were also compared with gender and ethnicity. According to the obtained results, the HOOC board game correlated with the improvement of knowledge in an acceptable manner. No significant correlations were found between the scores of the tests and gender. The gender of a learner had no significant impact on the learner's ability to learn and retain information. A significant correlation was found between the difference in scores on the tests and the ethnic grouping of learners. It therefore seems that the ethnicity of a learner relates to the improvement of knowledge. Considering the overall results of the study, the use of the HOOC board game as preventative measure against the sexual abuse of grade four learners is acceptable. The HOOC board game offers a significant and valid preventative measure for sexual abuse of children in the middle age group within the South African context. / Practical Theology / D. Diac.

Text in Afrikaans with summaries in Afrikaans and English / The child in his middle childhood years are confronted with physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual demands. The support from his parents enables him to make changes by using them as male and female role models. With a physically absent father the child has to face his absence and learn to handle it. The aim of this study was to investigate the child in the middle childhood’s experience of a physically absent father. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen respondents within the middle childhood years with the aim to explore their perceptions, experiences and how they manage with a physically absent father. The data collected during the empirical study was analyzed and compared with existing literature as a control mechanism. The study was completed with conclusions and recommendations that could be of value during an intervention with children in the middle childhood years experiencing a physically absent father. / Social Work / M.Diac. (Spelterapie)

Every child has the constitutional right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect or abuse. However, contrasting every child's constitutional right is the escalating worldwide prevalence of child sexual abuse. The incidence of child sexual abuse must be reduced as far as possible by a multi-faceted approach, including effective prevention programmes which facilitate disclosure and empower children. Since insufficient South African research on prevention programmes and preventative measures are available, the primary aim of the study was to develop a board game which can foster the prevention of sexual abuse of children. Scientifically, the motivation for the study was based on the improved understanding of the educational impact of a board game as primary prevention tool. The researcher developed the HOOC board game as part of the Hands Off Our Children Campaign. The board game, being practical and educational, has the goal of teaching children self-protective behaviours that can lower their probability of being abused. A representative sample of 1697 grade four learners, nine to twelve years of age, were selected from the Metropole East region. In order to determine the educational impact of the HOOC board game, the results of the children on the Children's Knowledge of Abuse Questionnaire-Revised (CKAQ-RIII) in the experimental and control groups were compared. The experimental group (n=407) received the board game as intervention. The control group (n=1290) did not receive any intervention. Performance on the test were also compared with gender and ethnicity. According to the obtained results, the HOOC board game correlated with the improvement of knowledge in an acceptable manner. No significant correlations were found between the scores of the tests and gender. The gender of a learner had no significant impact on the learner's ability to learn and retain information. A significant correlation was found between the difference in scores on the tests and the ethnic grouping of learners. It therefore seems that the ethnicity of a learner relates to the improvement of knowledge. Considering the overall results of the study, the use of the HOOC board game as preventative measure against the sexual abuse of grade four learners is acceptable. The HOOC board game offers a significant and valid preventative measure for sexual abuse of children in the middle age group within the South African context. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / D. Diac.

Text in Afrikaans with summaries in Afrikaans and English / The child in his middle childhood years are confronted with physical, emotional, psychological and intellectual demands. The support from his parents enables him to make changes by using them as male and female role models. With a physically absent father the child has to face his absence and learn to handle it. The aim of this study was to investigate the child in the middle childhood’s experience of a physically absent father. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen respondents within the middle childhood years with the aim to explore their perceptions, experiences and how they manage with a physically absent father. The data collected during the empirical study was analyzed and compared with existing literature as a control mechanism. The study was completed with conclusions and recommendations that could be of value during an intervention with children in the middle childhood years experiencing a physically absent father. / 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

Text in Afrikaans / Approximately 50 percent of all marriages end up in divorce according to estimates. Thirty percent of divorcees enter into wedlock again within one year from being divorced, thereby creating a reconstructed family. The child in the late middle childhood years experiences some unique challenges during the reconstruction of the family due to influences such as the parent-child relationship, parenting styles and the start of puberty. The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine the child's psychological experience within the reconstructed family and to provide guidelines to parents (and co-therapists) on how to deal with children during the reconstruction process. The qualitative method of research was applied as it is a more informal research procedure and the boundaries of the study subject are reasonably wide and undefined. The method provides an adaptable strategy regarding problem formulation and data collection, which allow semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes, and enable the researcher to obtain first hand knowledge and understanding of the problem. / Social Work / M. Diac.(Play Therapy)

Text in Afrikaans / Approximately 50 percent of all marriages end up in divorce according to estimates. Thirty percent of divorcees enter into wedlock again within one year from being divorced, thereby creating a reconstructed family. The child in the late middle childhood years experiences some unique challenges during the reconstruction of the family due to influences such as the parent-child relationship, parenting styles and the start of puberty. The purpose of this qualitative study is to determine the child's psychological experience within the reconstructed family and to provide guidelines to parents (and co-therapists) on how to deal with children during the reconstruction process. The qualitative method of research was applied as it is a more informal research procedure and the boundaries of the study subject are reasonably wide and undefined. The method provides an adaptable strategy regarding problem formulation and data collection, which allow semi-structured interviews, observations and field notes, and enable the researcher to obtain first hand knowledge and understanding of the problem. / Social Work / M. Diac.(Play Therapy)