This study examined if there were characteristic differences between play therapy students and non-play therapy students in training. Specifically, this study was designed to explore what, if any, characteristic differences between play therapy students and non-play therapy students in training exist in the following two areas: (a) personality variables, as measured by the NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO PI-R) and (b) attitude toward children, and measured by the Barnett's Liking of Children Scale (BLOCS). Additionally, this study examined whether certain personality traits and the general attitude toward children for the play therapy student group correlated with the play therapy students' effectiveness ratings assigned to them by their play therapy supervisors. This study found statistically significant differences at the .05 alpha level between the play therapy (N=105) and non-play therapy students (N=79) in training in both the Extraversion personality trait on the NEO PI-R assessment and attitude toward children on the BLOCS. Non-play therapy students were in the High range for Extraversion, whereas play therapy students in training were in the Average range. According to this finding, play therapy students are less extraverted than non-play therapy students. Specifically, a statistically significant difference occurred on the Gregariousness scale of the Extraversion domain between the play therapy and non-play therapy group. Additionally, the play therapy student group scored a statistically significant higher mean total score on the BLOCS, indicating that play therapy students have a more favorable attitude toward children as compared to non-play therapy students in training. No other statistically significant results were indicated on the other personality scales of the NEO PI-R between the play therapy and non-play therapy students in training group. Statistical significance was found on the BLOCS total mean scores between play therapy students rated as "Highly Effective" and play therapy students rated as "Effective" by their play therapy supervisors. This result indicated that play therapists rated as highly effective had an overall more favorable attitude toward children then students rated as effective. Interestingly, the Conscientiousness personality domain was approaching statistical significance for the play therapists rated highly effective as compared to the play therapists that were rated effective. Furthermore, the results of this study quantitatively supported the personal characteristic qualities of play therapists as discussed by Axline (1969) and Landreth (2002).

It is the aim of this investigation to compare the use of normally recommended toys, ordinarily used in the play-therapy setting, with more sophisticated, "grown-up" toys, when working with twelve-year-old children.

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Using a mixed methodology, the effectiveness of an 8-week modification of Landreth's (1991) 10-week group filial therapy training model was investigated with parents (n = 5) court-ordered for remedial parenting services due to physical abuse and/or neglect of their school-age children. A comparison group (n = 3) concurrently received an 8-week parent education course. Three primary questions were explored. Do filial therapy group participants demonstrate a greater decrease in child physical abuse potential and parenting stress following training when compared to parent education group participants? In addition, do filial therapy group participants show evidence of stronger parent-child relationships following training when compared to participants in the parent education group? Pre- and post-measures were utilized, and anecdotal and qualitative data were also collected. Following the analysis of both the quantitative and qualitative data, it was determined that the group quantitative results detracted from the richness of the qualitative findings, and the former were subsequently dropped. Instead, individual pre- and posttest quantitative scores, along with the anecdotal data, were compiled to create participant profiles that provided additional descriptive information to the emergent focus group themes. Due to the size of the sample (N = 8), findings were only preliminary and merit further study. Participants demonstrated social desirability in their assessment responses; therefore, it is recommended that qualitative or mixed methodology, as well as multiple measures of each construct, be incorporated to combat this phenomenon in future studies with this population. Results of this study further suggested that there are clinical benefits to utilizing a mixed sample of both court- and self-referred participants. In addition, the court-mandated population is heterogeneous and requires multiple treatment options coupled with screening protocol for appropriate treatment assignment. Future filial therapy research with this population should provide greater support to participants in conducting filial therapy sessions, as well as alternative ways of documenting these sessions. In addition, it is proposed that a combination of individual and group filial therapy models that is longer-term would be more effective with this population than the 8-week model used. / Ph. D.

This study was conducted to investigate change (as measured by positive growth changes in total personality adjustment, social maturity, and behavior patterns) in pre-school deaf children with behavioral problems who experienced short-term, nondirective play therapy. Change in behavior of these children was also investigated ten weeks after therapy.

Animation films are daily being screened on television, and offer an available medium with themes easily associated with. The researcher became interested in the possibility of utilising animation films in the play therapy process. A deficiency in relevant literature on the use of animation as medium in the play therapeutic process was identified. The aim of this study was to explore how therapists can use animation as a medium in play therapy and to fully describe it. In order to achieve this goal, qualitative research was employed and a focus group discussion with therapists was carried out. The data collected was analysed and the use of animation in the play therapeutic process was described in-depth. The goal of the study was therefore achieved in that the research provided specific information about where and how animation can effectively be used in the different stages of the play therapeutic process. / Animasiefilms word daagliks op televisie vertoon en is 'n beskikbare medium met temas waarmee die mens maklik assosieer. Die moontlikheid dat hierdie animasiefilms in die spelterapeutiese proses benut kan word, het die navorser ge"interesseer. 'n Leemte in die literatuur oor hoe animasie as 'n medium in die spelterapeutiese proses benut kan word, is as navorsingsprobleem geformuleer. Die doelstelling van hierdie studie was gevolglik om te verken hoe terapeute animasie as medium in spelterapie kan benut ten einde 'n volledige beskrywing hiervan te bied. Om hierdie doelstelling te bereik is 'n kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie uitgevoer en 'n fokusgroeponderhoud met terapeute voltooi. Die ingesamelde data is geanaliseer en die benutting van animasie as medium in die spelterapeutiese proses is in diepte beskryf. Daar is dus in die doel van die studie geslaag deurdat die navorsing spesifieke inligting gebied het oor hoe animasie tydens die verskillende momente van die spelterapeutiese proses effektief benut kan word. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

In this study the researcher explored and described the utilization of Gestalt play therapy concepts and techniques in order to strengthen the sense of self of the pediatric hematology/oncology patient. Literature studies were compiled to examine the concepts of the pediatric hematology/oncology patient, sense of self and Gestalt play therapy. These literature studies provided the theoretical frame in which the study was executed. During the empirical study qualitative data was gathered by means of unstructured interviews within an instrumental case study. Eight therapy sessions were conducted with the participant in order to explore how Gestalt play therapy concepts and techniques could be utilized to strengthen the sense of self of the pediatric hematology/oncology patient. Following the analysis of the data the researcher was able to describe how the Gestalt play therapy concepts and techniques were utilized to strengthen the sense of self of the pediatric hematology/oncology patient. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

Play is one of the effective ways of assisting children to deal with their emotional problems in therapy. There are many methods and techniques that are scientifically proven that are used in play therapy. There are some indigenous types of play that have not yet been scientifically proven to be therapeutically effective. Mmaskitlane is one of these indigenous plays. The motivation of this study was firstly, to make a literature study against which Mmaskitlane was compared to commonly used play techniques. Then an empirical study was done to explore the therapeutic effects of the play. It was used in combination with the Children Apperception Test (CAT), Draw a Person (DAP) and the Rational Emotive Therapy (RET), during play therapy with learners experiencing emotional problems. The findings from this study indicate that the use of Mmaskitlane may be a valuable therapeutic tool in supporting learners with emotional problems. / Psychology / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)