This research study seeks to enhance previous mentoring literature (Converse & Lignugaris, 2008; Cavell, Elledge, Malcolm, & Faith, 2009; Devenport & Lane, 2009) by further identifying the strategies and skills which help mentors form quality relationships and ultimately impact the resilience of at-risk adolescent mentees. Specifically, this study investigates volunteer mentors’ perceptions of incorporating the positive coping strategies of active listening, emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and future orientation within the initial stages of the mentoring process. Participants in this study are divided into two groups: the Coping Strategies (CS) Group and the Untrained Group (UG). The CS Group mentors have been individually trained to use the aforementioned coping strategies prior to being matched with mentees. The Untrained Group consists of mentors who received no formal training. Semi-structured interviews, which were conducted between three and four months into each mentoring relationship, reveal that focusing on relationship building and creating a level of comfort and trust with mentees were viewed by mentors from both groups as the paramount objectives during these beginning stages. Active listening is identified by a majority of participants as crucial for establishing a connection between mentor and mentee, building trust within the relationship, and engendering meaningful dialogue during beginning mentor sessions. Ultimately, this study finds that active listening training can be useful for helping mentors establish the foundation for a quality mentoring relationship, as well as for the use of additional coping strategies.

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)

Afrikaans text / Hierdie navorsing spruit uit die behoefte om doeltreffendheid van hulpverlening by kliente in die ouderdomsgroep elf- tot veertien jaar te verbeter. Die doel was om vas te stel of die projeksietegniek storievoltooiing by vroee adolessente nuttige responsies oplewer. Twee bestaande storievoltooiingsmedia, naamlik die Doss Fabels en die Madeleine Thomas Toets is toegepas saam met ander projeksiemedia en die responsies wat by storievoltooing gekry is, is geevalueer. Deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie is die eienskappe van die vroee adolessent nagegaan. Daar is spesiale aandag gegee aan die probleme wat kliente in hierdie ouderdomsgroep by hulpverlening vir die hulpvertener oplewer. Navorsing dui daarop dat die vroee adolessent 'n relatief hoe risiko loop om wordingsprobleme te ontwikkel. Vanwee die kenmerke van hierdie spesifteke ontwikkelingstadium, is erkende metodes van hulpverlening soos onderhoudvoering, nie altyd die aangewese of mees suksesvolle metode van hulpverlening nie. Tydens die empiriese ondersoek is gevind dat die proefpersone gunstig gereageer het op die storievoltooiingsmedia en nuttige responsies gelewer het. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat storievoltooing as tegniek, moontlik 'n rol te speel het naas die meer bekende projeksiemedia soos die TAT en die OAP as hulpmiddel by diagnose van probleme by vroee adolessente. / This reseach evolved from the need to increase the efficiency of therapy with early adolescents. The objective was to establish whether story completion as projective technique elicits useful responses. Two existing story completion media, the Duss Fables and the Madeleine Thomas Test, were applied in addition to other projection media and the responses were evaluated. The characteristics of the early adolescent were studied as found in the literature. Research indicates that the early adolescent is at risk for various ontological and psychological problems. Because of the characteristics of clients in this specific developmental stage, accepted techniques in therapy, for example the interview, are not entirely successful when counseling early adolescents. It was found that testees responded positively to the story completion media and produced useful responses. The conclusion was that story completion may have a role to play as an instrument in diagnosing the problems of early adolescents. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

In March 2011, Multnomah County's Juvenile Services Division (JSD) in Portland, Oregon implemented a new program model called Functional Family Probation Services, a case management model based on the principles of Functional Family Therapy. Under this model JSD Juvenile Court Counselors deliver Functional Family Probation Services to medium and high-risk youth on probation; both to the youth and their family in their home. This qualitative case study examined the extent to which the Juvenile Court Counselors and Community Justice Managers implemented Functional Family Probation Service's components and recorded their opinions regarding Functional Family Probation Services as a case management model. The study included observations of consultation meetings and interviews of 17 Juvenile Court Counselors, Community Justice Managers, and Senior Managers. The primary results of the study revealed that the Functional Family Probation Services intervention is well received by the county's youth and families and that Functional Family Probation Services increases family functioning. Additionally, both observations and self-reports from the Juvenile Court Counselors and Community Justice Managers indicate that Functional Family Probation Services requires individual and organizational changes critical for its successful implementation and sustainability.

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)

Afrikaans text / Hierdie navorsing spruit uit die behoefte om doeltreffendheid van hulpverlening by kliente in die ouderdomsgroep elf- tot veertien jaar te verbeter. Die doel was om vas te stel of die projeksietegniek storievoltooiing by vroee adolessente nuttige responsies oplewer. Twee bestaande storievoltooiingsmedia, naamlik die Doss Fabels en die Madeleine Thomas Toets is toegepas saam met ander projeksiemedia en die responsies wat by storievoltooing gekry is, is geevalueer. Deur middel van 'n literatuurstudie is die eienskappe van die vroee adolessent nagegaan. Daar is spesiale aandag gegee aan die probleme wat kliente in hierdie ouderdomsgroep by hulpverlening vir die hulpvertener oplewer. Navorsing dui daarop dat die vroee adolessent 'n relatief hoe risiko loop om wordingsprobleme te ontwikkel. Vanwee die kenmerke van hierdie spesifteke ontwikkelingstadium, is erkende metodes van hulpverlening soos onderhoudvoering, nie altyd die aangewese of mees suksesvolle metode van hulpverlening nie. Tydens die empiriese ondersoek is gevind dat die proefpersone gunstig gereageer het op die storievoltooiingsmedia en nuttige responsies gelewer het. Die gevolgtrekking is gemaak dat storievoltooing as tegniek, moontlik 'n rol te speel het naas die meer bekende projeksiemedia soos die TAT en die OAP as hulpmiddel by diagnose van probleme by vroee adolessente. / This reseach evolved from the need to increase the efficiency of therapy with early adolescents. The objective was to establish whether story completion as projective technique elicits useful responses. Two existing story completion media, the Duss Fables and the Madeleine Thomas Test, were applied in addition to other projection media and the responses were evaluated. The characteristics of the early adolescent were studied as found in the literature. Research indicates that the early adolescent is at risk for various ontological and psychological problems. Because of the characteristics of clients in this specific developmental stage, accepted techniques in therapy, for example the interview, are not entirely successful when counseling early adolescents. It was found that testees responded positively to the story completion media and produced useful responses. The conclusion was that story completion may have a role to play as an instrument in diagnosing the problems of early adolescents. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Behaviour problems are a problem in many secondary schools in Zimbabwe. This study attempts to investigate the causes and manifestations of behaviour problems of adolescent learners and to develop guidelines for teachers on how to assist learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. This is a qualitative study using focus group and semi-structured interviews. The main findings contributing to the causes of behaviour problems among adolescent learners are environmental factors, such as the family and the school and peer pressure. Behaviour problems are manifested by adolescents as disruptive behaviour, aggressive and antisocial behaviour, telling lies and theft. The findings highlight important guidelines, which teachers can use to assist and understand learners with behaviour problems in the classroom. The guidelines present an endeavour to solve problem behaviour in the classroom. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Special Needs Education)

Rebelliousness is the act of defying lawful authority or a resistant way of relating to authority. It is seen by many as a normal way of development. The development of rebellious behavior actually starts in childhood and progresses through to adulthood. The study focuses on the manner in which the family and school handle the rebellious child and the negative effects that these have on the child's development. These problems may manifest in truancy, delinquency, negativism, runaway, antisocial behavior, alcohol and substance abuse and gang involvement. The results of the study prove that the environment in which the adolescent lives, contribute greatly to the development and the maintenance of rebellious behavior. Guidelines were written for parents, teachers and psychologists regarding the handling of the rebellious child. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

Rebelliousness is the act of defying lawful authority or a resistant way of relating to authority. It is seen by many as a normal way of development. The development of rebellious behavior actually starts in childhood and progresses through to adulthood. The study focuses on the manner in which the family and school handle the rebellious child and the negative effects that these have on the child's development. These problems may manifest in truancy, delinquency, negativism, runaway, antisocial behavior, alcohol and substance abuse and gang involvement. The results of the study prove that the environment in which the adolescent lives, contribute greatly to the development and the maintenance of rebellious behavior. Guidelines were written for parents, teachers and psychologists regarding the handling of the rebellious child. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)