Designing good digital experiences for children can be difficult; designers have to consider children's cognitive and motor skill limitations, understand their target audience, create something entertaining and educational, comply with national and international jurisdiction, and at the same time appeal to parents. We set out to create a general framework which designers and developers can use as a foundation and testing ground for their digital products in the field of user experience. The methods used during the thesis include interviews, literature studies, user testing, case studies, personas, prototyping, and more. The results created are primarily user experience guidelines packaged in a Theoretical Framework, user testing conclusions, along with suggestions on improving the current Lego Star Wars: Force Builders application, a few in the form of prototypes.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-04T18:27:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ana Paula de Sa Campos-1.pdf: 379768 bytes, checksum: 6a4e85a070edd212ee44f0aa9dce065b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-02-12 / Pontif?cia Universidade Cat?lica de Campinas / This research proposes to analyze the therapeutic potentiality of encounters held by the researcher psychologist with children of three to six years old within the context of daycare center located in Campinas, SP. The theoretical reference used was the Person Centered Approach (PCA) developed by the American psychologist Carl Ransom Rogers. Specifically, it is based upon the therapeutic proposal of Virginia Mae Axline, known as Child Centered Ludotherapy. The study may be characterized as intervention research, developed with a basis in the implantation of a practical clinical psychology, made available to the children in an institutional context. Initially, the researcher participated weekly in the routine activities of the daycare center, with the status of an observer, for a period of two months, when she entered into contact with the children and with the technicians in an informal manner. The therapeutic encounters emerged from a spontaneous need of some of the children. The stay of the researcher in the daycare center was, approximately, one year and half, dating from April 2006 to December 2007. The children themselves generated the structure of the meetings, establishing with the researcher a relationship which is similar to the clinical intervention known as On Duty Psychology. This is a differentiated psychological practice that emphasizes empathic listening, positive unconditional acceptance and congruence as therapeutic attitudes of the psychologist on duty. The research was conducted in a phenomenological manner: some narratives having been constructed upon therapeutic encounters. The narratives allow the understanding and interpretation of the clinical arousal which emerged from the therapeutic encounters through a prism of an inter-subjective relationship. It may be concluded that the therapeutic encounters present favorable conditions to the production of the psychological potential for self understanding and integration. In this study, evidence was found of: a) the capacity of the children to assume the initiative in a spontaneous search in relation to psychological help; b) the capacity of the children in communicating feelings regarding themselves and their problems; c) the capacity of the children to understand and collaborate in the construction of the relationship for psychological help; d) the importance and competence of the attitudes of empathy, positive unconditional acceptance and congruence on the part of the psychologist. The results confirm the innovative character and the importance of the development of differentiated clinical practices in institutional contexts. This research permits a glimpse of new directions insofar as the applicability of therapeutic encounters of this nature given their psychological mutative nature. / Esta pesquisa prop?s-se a analisar a potencialidade terap?utica de encontros realizados pela psic?loga pesquisadora com crian?as de tr?s a seis anos, no contexto de uma creche inserida em Campinas, SP. O referencial te?rico utilizado foi a Abordagem Centrada na Pessoa (ACP), desenvolvida pelo psic?logo norte-americano Carl Ransom Rogers. Especificamente, fundamenta-se na proposta terap?utica de Virg?nia Mae Axline, denominada Ludoterapia centrada na crian?a. O estudo caracterizou-se como uma pesquisa interven??o, desenvolvida com base na implanta??o de uma pr?tica psicol?gica cl?nica, disponibilizada para crian?as em um contexto institucional. Inicialmente, a pesquisadora participou semanalmente das atividades rotineiras da creche, na condi??o de observadora, durante um per?odo de dois meses, quando entrou em contato com as crian?as e com os t?cnicos de maneira informal. Os encontros terap?uticos emergiram da demanda espont?nea de algumas crian?as. A perman?ncia da pesquisadora na creche foi de, aproximadamente, um ano e meio, datando de abril de 2006 a dezembro de 2007. As pr?prias crian?as geraram a estrutura dos encontros, estabelecendo com a pesquisadora uma rela??o que se aproxima da interven??o cl?nica denominada de Plant?o Psicol?gico. Esta ? uma pr?tica psicol?gica que se constitui em um enquadre diferenciado que prioriza a escuta emp?tica, a aceita??o positiva incondicional e a congru?ncia como atitudes terap?uticas do plantonista. A pesquisa foi conduzida de maneira fenomenol?gica, tendo sido constru?das narrativas baseadas nos encontros terap?uticos. As narrativas permitiram compreender e interpretar o acontecer cl?nico que emergiu dos encontros terap?uticos, por um prisma de uma rela??o intersubjetiva. Concluiu-se que os encontros terap?uticos apresentam condi??es favor?veis ? atualiza??o do potencial psicol?gico para a autocompreens?o e integra??o. Neste estudo, foram evidenciadas: a) a capacidade das crian?as em assumir a iniciativa pela procura espont?nea por uma rela??o de ajuda psicol?gica; b) a capacidade das crian?as em comunicar sentimentos a respeito de si mesmas e de seus problemas; c) a capacidade das crian?as em compreender e colaborar para a estrutura??o da rela??o de ajuda psicol?gica; d) a import?ncia e sufici?ncia das atitudes de empatia, aceita??o positiva incondicional e congru?ncia por parte da psic?loga. Os resultados confirmaram o car?ter inovador e a import?ncia do desenvolvimento de enquadres cl?nicos diferenciados em contextos institucionais. Esta pesquisa permite vislumbrar novos caminhos no sentido da aplicabilidade de encontros terap?uticos desta natureza, dada a sua potencialidade mutativa.

Magister Legum - LLM / The following thesis investigates the MACR in African Legal Systems. The MACR is the youngest age at which children in conflict with the law find themselves caught up in the harsh realities of the criminal justice system. Up until recently, debates around fixing a MACR had been successfully side-stepped since the adoption of the UNCRC in 1989. The UNCRC has provided for human rights for children on a global scale while the ACRWC provides for such rights regionally. Contracting States Parties to these treaties agree that there needs to be a MACR in place and have adopted a childrens rights-based framework for reviewing their current child laws, policies and practices in accordance with the minimum standards provided. They do not however, agree on what the fixed minimum age should be. / South Africa

I examined the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and person-centered teacher consultation (PCTC) for elementary school children identified with clinical or borderline levels of ADHD behaviors on the Teacher Report Form and the Conners' Teacher Rating Scale Revised - Short Form. Additionally, I examined the impact of CCPT and PCTC on the levels of parenting and teaching stress. Due to the current trend to determine interventions that are evidence-based through between-group or single case designs, for this study, I utilized a single case design experiment for which the behaviors of five children were examined. Trained observers utilized the Direct Observation Form in observations of all five students three times per week. Additionally, parents and teachers completed behavioral rating scales and stress inventories at pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. To prevent biased observational ratings, observers were blind to the assignment of the five children. Three students participated in 24 sessions of twice-weekly 30-minute sessions of CCPT, and these students' teachers participated in six sessions of once-weekly 10-minute PCTC. Two students participated in twice-weekly 30-minute sessions of reading mentoring, after which they participated in 14 sessions of CCPT. Visual analysis of the data indicated mixed results. Three students demonstrated substantial improvement in the observed ADHD behaviors within the classroom. Results of the parent and teacher assessment data were inconsistent, but did indicate behavior change for some children and a reduction in teaching stress for one teacher. Parenting stress appeared unaffected. Implications for future research regarding the use of single case design, the measurement of student behavior change, and issues of comorbidity are indicated.

Master of Science / Department of Family Studies and Human Services / Joyce Baptist / This report describes the role of cultural socialization in the ethnic identity formation of internationally adopted children. This report explores the process of integrating the child’s birth culture and the complexities that are involved in raising internationally adopted children. The theoretical frameworks of identity development and social construction will be used to provide a conceptual understanding of the process of ethnic identity development. This report will describe the use of Narrative Therapy and Child-centered Play Therapy to facilitate the process of identity development. Implications for clinical practice will be discussed.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test the efficacy of a short-term structured play therapy treatment program for latency-aged children of divorce between six and twelve years of age. Following parental divorce latency-aged children often manifest disturbed emotional and behavioural functioning in several areas of their lives including issues such as self-image problems and poor academic functioning. In many instances, problems are acute and necessitate effective help in a relatively short time. Several play therapy modalities exist for children with some focusing on problems stemming from divorce. However, due to their complex, unstructured and lengthy nature, most of the treatment programs reviewed were relatively ineffective for most social workers. Increasingly families have little time and/or limited financial resources to commit to long-term therapy. A literature review showed a clear need for a shorter, less complex treatment program to solve the problem of limited finances and time constraints of parents seeking help for their children. A seven-stage, short-term structured play therapy program was developed for this study, including a pre-and post-treatment assessment, which focused on the main areas of dysfunction prominent among latency-aged children of divorce. The program was implemented by treating a female latency-aged child from a divorced family. The findings showed that the short-term structured play therapy program developed for this study appears to be effective in dealing with necessary and important psychological tasks facing children of divorce. The treatment program worked effectively with a female latency-aged child and facilitated psychological and emotional movement in a relatively short period of time. For social workers specialising in child play therapy the treatment program will be easy to use since all activities are clearly structured and explained with materials utilised in the sessions easy to obtain. As such, it could be a necessary and effective addition to the social work profession. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

Résumé Le pourcentage d’enfants et d’adolescents vivant avec une condition chronique qui atteint l’âge adulte a augmenté de façon significative au cours des dernières décennies grâce, notamment, aux avancées en médecine, donnant lieu à la question de transition du milieu hospitalier pédiatrique au milieu hospitalier adulte. Cette transition est décrite par plusieurs chercheurs et cliniciens comme étant un processus complexe pouvant être associé à des difficultés importantes, tel qu’un manque d’adhérence au suivi médical. Malgré les nombreux écrits sur cette problématique, peu d’études longitudinales ancrées dans un contexte théorique ont été réalisées. Le but de cette thèse est d’identifier des facteurs susceptibles de faciliter l’expérience de transition de patients atteints de diabète et de patients greffés rénaux en utilisant une méthodologie longitudinale ainsi qu’en se basant sur un contexte théorique défini et pertinent à la transition de l’adolescence à la vie adulte ainsi qu’à la prise en charge médicale. La thèse est présentée sous forme de trois articles scientifiques. Le premier article examine le développement identitaire, une tâche centrale pendant la période de l’adolescence. Selon la théorie de l’identité d’Erikson (1963) et de Marcia (1966), une identité achevée, caractérisée par un sentiment de soi cohérent établi suite à une exploration, peut aider l’individu à naviguer les obstacles de l’âge adulte. La transition des soins du milieu hospitalier pédiatrique au milieu hospitalier adulte coïncidant avec le passage à l’âge adulte, il est important d’acquérir une bonne compréhension du développement identitaire d’adolescents atteints d’une condition chronique ainsi que du contexte dans lequel leur identité se développe. Dans le cadre de cet article, le développement identitaire et la qualité de vie de 85 adolescents atteints de diabète de type 1 ou ayant reçu une greffe rénale ont été comparé à ceux de 90 adolescents en santé. Au plan identitaire, des analyses de variance ont démontré des différences significatives dans le développement de l’identité idéologique. Précisément, les résultats démontrent un niveau plus élevé de diffusion chez les patients ainsi qu’un niveau plus élevé de forclusion dans le groupe contrôle. En revanche, aucune différence entre les deux groupes n’a été détectée au niveau de l’identité interpersonnelle. De façon similaire, le groupe des patients et le groupe contrôle ont démontré des résultats comparables aux plans de la qualité de vie, de la perception de contrôle sur celle-ci, ainsi qu’au plan de la perception des opportunités à croître et se développer. Les résultats du développement identitaire sont discutés et mis en lien avec la qualité de vie rapportée par le groupe de patients. Le deuxième article consiste en une recension de la littérature ayant pour buts de résumer systématiquement les études en transition basées sur la perspective des patients et d’identifier les facteurs pouvant faciliter l’expérience de transition au milieu hospitalier adulte. À l’aide de la méthodologie du méta-résumé, nous avons procédé à l’extraction, au regroupement et à l’abstraction de résultats provenant de 46 études qualitatives ou de nature descriptive portant sur la transition de patients. Les résultats ont été divisés en quatre catégories, notamment (1) les sentiments et les préoccupations des patients, (2) les recommandations apportées par les patients, (3) les résultats suite au transfert en milieu adulte et (4) l’impact des différents modes de transfert utilisés. Enfin, les résultats de l’article sont discutés dans un cadre théorique de transition qui met l’emphase sur des conditions précises pouvant assurer une transition réussie. Le troisième article a pour objectif d’utiliser une théorie pour étudier l’expérience de transition d’adolescents atteints d’une condition chronique. Étant donné l’importance accordée à l’environnement médical par les patients ainsi que les différences importantes qui existent entre le milieu hospitalier pédiatrique et le milieu hospitalier adulte, la théorie de l’auto-détermination a été sélectionnée. Selon cette théorie, la perception de soutien de l’autonomie de la part du personnel médical est intimement liée à une plus grande motivation et un sentiment de compétence chez les patients à l’égard de leur routine de soins, ainsi qu’à une meilleure adhérence au traitement. Guidés par cette théorie, nous avons suivi l’expérience de transition de patients atteints d’un diabète de type 1 ou de patients ayant reçu une greffe de rein 6 mois avant leur transfert (n= 85) ainsi que 6 mois (n= 49) et un an (n= 36) après leur transfert au milieu adulte. Les résultats révèlent que les patients se sentent généralement prêts à transférer. Suite au transfert, une baisse est enregistrée dans la perception du soutien de l’autonomie des patients. En revanche, un an suite au transfert, les patients rapportent un plus grand sentiment de choix ainsi que la perception d’une plus grande adaptation au milieu adulte. Enfin, les résultats démontrent qu’un plus grand sentiment de soutien de l’autonomie est associé à des niveaux plus élevés de satisfaction, de motivation, de compétence, et de perception d’adhérence au traitement. Les implications pratiques de cette étude sont soulignées. / Abstract The percentage of children and adolescents with a chronic condition who reach adulthood has increased significantly in past decades due to improvements in medicine and has given rise to the question of transition from child-centered care (CCC) to adult-centered care (ACC). Transition of care has been described by researchers and clinicians as a complex process that can be associated with important challenges, such as a lack of adherence to treatment in ACC. Despite the numerous writings on the subject, there is a dearth of longitudinal studies based on a contextual framework. The main goal of the present thesis is to identify factors that can facilitate patients’ transition experience by using a longitudinal methodology and by anchoring the research in a well-defined contextual framework. The thesis is comprised of three scientific articles. The first article examined identity development, a central task of adolescence. Identity achievement, in contrast to identity diffusion, is characterized by a coherent sense of who one is following a period of exploration and can help navigate the challenges of adulthood. This study examined identity within a quality of life (QOL) context in 85 adolescents with a renal transplant or Type 1 diabetes in comparison to 90 healthy controls. Results revealed significant différences in ideological identity, with patients showing higher levels of diffusion and controls showing higher levels of foreclosure. The study revealed no differences with respect to interpersonal identity, QOL, perceived control over the QOL domains, and perceived opportunities for growth and development. The results of identity development are discussed and put in perspective based on patients’ self-reported QOL. The second article is a literature review that aimed to systematically summarize transition studies on patients’ perspective and, based on these results, identify factors that facilitate transition to ACC. Using a metasummary methodology, we extracted, grouped, and abstracted the findings from 46 qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies involving patients before and/or after their transfer to ACC. Empirical results on transition fell into four groups: (1) patients’ feelings and concerns; (2) patients’ recommendations about transition; (3) outcomes after transfer; and (4) mode of transfer. Our results are discussed within a theoretical transition framework that emphasizes the importance of fulfilling conditions that can lead to a successful transition. The main objective of the third article was to gain a better understanding of adolescent patients’ transition experience from CCC to ACC in light of a pre-determined theory. Given the importance awarded by patients to their medical environment, the self-determination theory was chosen. According to the self-determination theory, patients who perceive their health care environment as autonomy supportive will feel motivated and competent to manage their condition and will show increased adherence to their treatment. We followed the transition experience of patients with Type 1 diabetes or a renal transplant 6 months before (n= 85), and 6 months (n= 49) and one year (n= 36) after their transfer to ACC. The results revealed that patients generally felt ready to transfer. Following transfer, there was a decline in patients’ perception of autonomy support. In contrast, one year following transfer, patients reported a significant increase in their sense of choice and their adaptation to ACC. Higher levels of autonomy support were also associated with feelings of satisfaction, motivation, competence and self-reported adherence. The practical relevance of this study is discussed.

Résumé Le pourcentage d’enfants et d’adolescents vivant avec une condition chronique qui atteint l’âge adulte a augmenté de façon significative au cours des dernières décennies grâce, notamment, aux avancées en médecine, donnant lieu à la question de transition du milieu hospitalier pédiatrique au milieu hospitalier adulte. Cette transition est décrite par plusieurs chercheurs et cliniciens comme étant un processus complexe pouvant être associé à des difficultés importantes, tel qu’un manque d’adhérence au suivi médical. Malgré les nombreux écrits sur cette problématique, peu d’études longitudinales ancrées dans un contexte théorique ont été réalisées. Le but de cette thèse est d’identifier des facteurs susceptibles de faciliter l’expérience de transition de patients atteints de diabète et de patients greffés rénaux en utilisant une méthodologie longitudinale ainsi qu’en se basant sur un contexte théorique défini et pertinent à la transition de l’adolescence à la vie adulte ainsi qu’à la prise en charge médicale. La thèse est présentée sous forme de trois articles scientifiques. Le premier article examine le développement identitaire, une tâche centrale pendant la période de l’adolescence. Selon la théorie de l’identité d’Erikson (1963) et de Marcia (1966), une identité achevée, caractérisée par un sentiment de soi cohérent établi suite à une exploration, peut aider l’individu à naviguer les obstacles de l’âge adulte. La transition des soins du milieu hospitalier pédiatrique au milieu hospitalier adulte coïncidant avec le passage à l’âge adulte, il est important d’acquérir une bonne compréhension du développement identitaire d’adolescents atteints d’une condition chronique ainsi que du contexte dans lequel leur identité se développe. Dans le cadre de cet article, le développement identitaire et la qualité de vie de 85 adolescents atteints de diabète de type 1 ou ayant reçu une greffe rénale ont été comparé à ceux de 90 adolescents en santé. Au plan identitaire, des analyses de variance ont démontré des différences significatives dans le développement de l’identité idéologique. Précisément, les résultats démontrent un niveau plus élevé de diffusion chez les patients ainsi qu’un niveau plus élevé de forclusion dans le groupe contrôle. En revanche, aucune différence entre les deux groupes n’a été détectée au niveau de l’identité interpersonnelle. De façon similaire, le groupe des patients et le groupe contrôle ont démontré des résultats comparables aux plans de la qualité de vie, de la perception de contrôle sur celle-ci, ainsi qu’au plan de la perception des opportunités à croître et se développer. Les résultats du développement identitaire sont discutés et mis en lien avec la qualité de vie rapportée par le groupe de patients. Le deuxième article consiste en une recension de la littérature ayant pour buts de résumer systématiquement les études en transition basées sur la perspective des patients et d’identifier les facteurs pouvant faciliter l’expérience de transition au milieu hospitalier adulte. À l’aide de la méthodologie du méta-résumé, nous avons procédé à l’extraction, au regroupement et à l’abstraction de résultats provenant de 46 études qualitatives ou de nature descriptive portant sur la transition de patients. Les résultats ont été divisés en quatre catégories, notamment (1) les sentiments et les préoccupations des patients, (2) les recommandations apportées par les patients, (3) les résultats suite au transfert en milieu adulte et (4) l’impact des différents modes de transfert utilisés. Enfin, les résultats de l’article sont discutés dans un cadre théorique de transition qui met l’emphase sur des conditions précises pouvant assurer une transition réussie. Le troisième article a pour objectif d’utiliser une théorie pour étudier l’expérience de transition d’adolescents atteints d’une condition chronique. Étant donné l’importance accordée à l’environnement médical par les patients ainsi que les différences importantes qui existent entre le milieu hospitalier pédiatrique et le milieu hospitalier adulte, la théorie de l’auto-détermination a été sélectionnée. Selon cette théorie, la perception de soutien de l’autonomie de la part du personnel médical est intimement liée à une plus grande motivation et un sentiment de compétence chez les patients à l’égard de leur routine de soins, ainsi qu’à une meilleure adhérence au traitement. Guidés par cette théorie, nous avons suivi l’expérience de transition de patients atteints d’un diabète de type 1 ou de patients ayant reçu une greffe de rein 6 mois avant leur transfert (n= 85) ainsi que 6 mois (n= 49) et un an (n= 36) après leur transfert au milieu adulte. Les résultats révèlent que les patients se sentent généralement prêts à transférer. Suite au transfert, une baisse est enregistrée dans la perception du soutien de l’autonomie des patients. En revanche, un an suite au transfert, les patients rapportent un plus grand sentiment de choix ainsi que la perception d’une plus grande adaptation au milieu adulte. Enfin, les résultats démontrent qu’un plus grand sentiment de soutien de l’autonomie est associé à des niveaux plus élevés de satisfaction, de motivation, de compétence, et de perception d’adhérence au traitement. Les implications pratiques de cette étude sont soulignées. / Abstract The percentage of children and adolescents with a chronic condition who reach adulthood has increased significantly in past decades due to improvements in medicine and has given rise to the question of transition from child-centered care (CCC) to adult-centered care (ACC). Transition of care has been described by researchers and clinicians as a complex process that can be associated with important challenges, such as a lack of adherence to treatment in ACC. Despite the numerous writings on the subject, there is a dearth of longitudinal studies based on a contextual framework. The main goal of the present thesis is to identify factors that can facilitate patients’ transition experience by using a longitudinal methodology and by anchoring the research in a well-defined contextual framework. The thesis is comprised of three scientific articles. The first article examined identity development, a central task of adolescence. Identity achievement, in contrast to identity diffusion, is characterized by a coherent sense of who one is following a period of exploration and can help navigate the challenges of adulthood. This study examined identity within a quality of life (QOL) context in 85 adolescents with a renal transplant or Type 1 diabetes in comparison to 90 healthy controls. Results revealed significant différences in ideological identity, with patients showing higher levels of diffusion and controls showing higher levels of foreclosure. The study revealed no differences with respect to interpersonal identity, QOL, perceived control over the QOL domains, and perceived opportunities for growth and development. The results of identity development are discussed and put in perspective based on patients’ self-reported QOL. The second article is a literature review that aimed to systematically summarize transition studies on patients’ perspective and, based on these results, identify factors that facilitate transition to ACC. Using a metasummary methodology, we extracted, grouped, and abstracted the findings from 46 qualitative and descriptive quantitative studies involving patients before and/or after their transfer to ACC. Empirical results on transition fell into four groups: (1) patients’ feelings and concerns; (2) patients’ recommendations about transition; (3) outcomes after transfer; and (4) mode of transfer. Our results are discussed within a theoretical transition framework that emphasizes the importance of fulfilling conditions that can lead to a successful transition. The main objective of the third article was to gain a better understanding of adolescent patients’ transition experience from CCC to ACC in light of a pre-determined theory. Given the importance awarded by patients to their medical environment, the self-determination theory was chosen. According to the self-determination theory, patients who perceive their health care environment as autonomy supportive will feel motivated and competent to manage their condition and will show increased adherence to their treatment. We followed the transition experience of patients with Type 1 diabetes or a renal transplant 6 months before (n= 85), and 6 months (n= 49) and one year (n= 36) after their transfer to ACC. The results revealed that patients generally felt ready to transfer. Following transfer, there was a decline in patients’ perception of autonomy support. In contrast, one year following transfer, patients reported a significant increase in their sense of choice and their adaptation to ACC. Higher levels of autonomy support were also associated with feelings of satisfaction, motivation, competence and self-reported adherence. The practical relevance of this study is discussed.

The purpose of this study was to develop and test the efficacy of a short-term structured play therapy treatment program for latency-aged children of divorce between six and twelve years of age. Following parental divorce latency-aged children often manifest disturbed emotional and behavioural functioning in several areas of their lives including issues such as self-image problems and poor academic functioning. In many instances, problems are acute and necessitate effective help in a relatively short time. Several play therapy modalities exist for children with some focusing on problems stemming from divorce. However, due to their complex, unstructured and lengthy nature, most of the treatment programs reviewed were relatively ineffective for most social workers. Increasingly families have little time and/or limited financial resources to commit to long-term therapy. A literature review showed a clear need for a shorter, less complex treatment program to solve the problem of limited finances and time constraints of parents seeking help for their children. A seven-stage, short-term structured play therapy program was developed for this study, including a pre-and post-treatment assessment, which focused on the main areas of dysfunction prominent among latency-aged children of divorce. The program was implemented by treating a female latency-aged child from a divorced family. The findings showed that the short-term structured play therapy program developed for this study appears to be effective in dealing with necessary and important psychological tasks facing children of divorce. The treatment program worked effectively with a female latency-aged child and facilitated psychological and emotional movement in a relatively short period of time. For social workers specialising in child play therapy the treatment program will be easy to use since all activities are clearly structured and explained with materials utilised in the sessions easy to obtain. As such, it could be a necessary and effective addition to the social work profession. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

This randomized, controlled study examined the effectiveness of two mentoring programs, child mentor relationship training (CMRT) and peer assistance and leadership (PAL®), on high school mentor empathic behaviors and child mentee behavior problems. Participants were 60 young, at-risk students (61.7% male; 38.3% Hispanic/Latino/a, 31.7% Caucasian, 21.7% African American, 8.3% biracial) and 30 high school students (53.3% male; 66.7% Caucasian, 26.7% Hispanic/Latino/a, 0.03% African American, 0.03% Asian). Mentors and mentees were randomly assigned to CMRT or PAL®, which was treatment as usual in the participating school district. Results from 2 (group) by 2 (time) repeated measures ANOVAs indicated compared to the PAL® treatment group over time, mentors in the CMRT group demonstrated statistically significant improvement in empathic behaviors with a large treatment effect, as rated by independent observers. Analysis revealed a moderate treatment effect with CMRT group mentee behavior problems, but the difference was not statistically significant between treatment groups over time. Further analysis revealed the CMRT group demonstrated statistically significant reductions in behavior problems from pre- to post-test with a very large treatment effect. Overall, findings support CMRT as a promising school-based intervention for at-risk young children that potentially increases school counselor efficiency.