The dissertation deals with the problem of dance skills education in early adolescence. The analyses of educational, professional, psychological and philosophical sources substantiated the structure of dance skills which is grounded by principles of cognitive arts education theory and based on expression of dance elements (movement, spac, rhythm, tempo, energy, dynamics, metaphore) and communication trough it. Communicative course in dance skills education, kinesthetic aspect of dance skills and pecularities of dance activities in early adolescence are analyzed. The empirical part of the research includes methodological substantiation of the research and methods applied (questionnaire survey, diagnostic investigation, pedagogical experiment, interview, statistical analysis). Results of dance teachers questionnaire survey revealed main tendencies of dance skills education. Diagnostic investigation showed possibilities and pecularities of theoretically identified dance skills expression. It has been established that pedagogical experiment was successful and devised model of dance skills education in early adolescence was efficient in achieving significant changes in dance skills expression. The interview of participants of pedagogical experiment showed that the model of dance skills education had significant impact on changes of adolescents attitudes to dance activities. On the bases of the dissertation theoretical and empirical research data the recommendations for dance... [to full text] / Disertacijoje nagrinėjami šokio gebėjimų ugdymo ypatumai ankstyvosios paauglystės amžiuje. Atlikus edukologinės, dalykinės, psichologinės, filosofinės literatūros analizę kognityvinės meninio ugdymo teorijos požiūriu pagrindžiama šokio gebėjimų struktūra, susieta su šokio elementų (judesio, erdvės, ritmo, tempo, judesio jėgos, dinamikos, metaforos) raiška kuriant šokio struktūrą ir ja bendraujant. Analizuojama komunikacinė šokio gebėjimų ugdymo kryptis, kinestetinis šokio gebėjimų aspektas ir paauglių šokio veiklos ypatumai. Empirinėje darbo dalyje aprašoma tyrimo metodologija ir argumentuojamas tyrimo metodų (anketinės apklausos, diagnostinio tyrimo, pedagoginio eksperimento, interviu, statistinės analizės) pasirinkimas. Atlikus anketinę šokio mokytojų apklausą, identifikuotos pagrindinės šokio gebėjimų ugdymo tendencijos. Diagnostinio tyrimo duomenys parodė teoriškai išskirtų šokio gebėjimų atsiskleidimo galimybes ir ypatumus. Atlikus pedagoginį eksperimentą, nustatytas parengto šokio gebėjimų ugdymo modelio efektyvumas ugdant šokio gebėjimus ankstyvojoje paauglystėje. Pedagoginio eksperimento dalyvių interviu atskleidė jų nuostatų į šokio veiklą kaitą. Teorinių ir empirinių disertacinio tyrimo duomenų pagrindu parengtos rekomendacijos šokio mokytojams ir šokio mokytojus rengiančioms institucijoms, orientuojančios į komunikacinį ir kūrybinį šokio gebėjimų ugdymo ir šokio ugdymo proceso organizavimo modelį.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the Grade 7 adolescents’ meaning of the phenomenon of trauma to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their perceptions in order to contribute to dialogue and discourse. Current literature was used to provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of this study which included a summary of the key tenets as well as an overview of the relevant core theoretical assumptions of Gestalt Therapy theory, early adolescence as a developmental stage, and the concept of trauma. A qualitative instrumental case study was used to provide a comprehensive description of the subjective perceptions of the participants, using phenomenological one–on–one semi–structured interviews and documents in the form of drawings. The sample consisted of a selected group of nine early adolescents from one Northern suburb school. The common thread that ran throughout this study was that trauma is perceived as a negative experience that is unique for each individual. The findings indicated that individuals who have been exposed to a trauma are affected on levels of contact and awareness. Lack of support was found to lead to the use of inappropriate contact styles which led to incomplete Gestalts, resulting in unresolved traumatic responses, which affected their social skills and academic development. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the Grade 7 adolescents’ meaning of the phenomenon of trauma to gain a more comprehensive understanding of their perceptions in order to contribute to dialogue and discourse. Current literature was used to provide an overview of the theoretical underpinnings of this study which included a summary of the key tenets as well as an overview of the relevant core theoretical assumptions of Gestalt Therapy theory, early adolescence as a developmental stage, and the concept of trauma. A qualitative instrumental case study was used to provide a comprehensive description of the subjective perceptions of the participants, using phenomenological one–on–one semi–structured interviews and documents in the form of drawings. The sample consisted of a selected group of nine early adolescents from one Northern suburb school. The common thread that ran throughout this study was that trauma is perceived as a negative experience that is unique for each individual. The findings indicated that individuals who have been exposed to a trauma are affected on levels of contact and awareness. Lack of support was found to lead to the use of inappropriate contact styles which led to incomplete Gestalts, resulting in unresolved traumatic responses, which affected their social skills and academic development. / Thesis (M.A. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The researcher is concerned about the lack of attention given to withdrawn early adolescents (WEAs) at school. During early adolescence, the foundations for lasting character, personality traits and social interaction are laid. Learners exhibiting withdrawal behaviour are described as being quiet, reserved, removed or distant. Attempts by educators to get them involved in lessons often end in failure and this causes educators to become frustrated and confused about how to deal with these learners. The aim of this study is therefore to establish the factors that contribute to withdrawal behaviour in early adolescents. The researcher devised an identification instrument that makes the identification of WEAs much easier for educators. He also established the deep seated fears and anxieties of WEAs and ascertained how they would like to be treated by their educators. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

abstract: The present study explored longitudinal associations between self-esteem and a specific dimension of gender identity (GI) and ethnic-racial identity (ERI), namely felt pressure from family and peers to act or behave in either gender or race/ethnic-accordant ways, among a sample of 750 African American and Latino/a middle school students (M = 12.10 years, SD = .97 years) in a southwestern U.S. city. Participants completed measures of self-esteem and GI and ERI felt pressure from family and from peers at two time points. Data were analyzed through bivariate correlation and hierarchical multiple linear regression analyses. Hierarchical multiple linear regression results revealed that among African American students, there was a significant negative longitudinal association between ERI felt pressure from family at Time 1 and self-esteem at Time 2 after controlling for self-esteem at Time 1. There was also a significant negative longitudinal association between ERI felt pressure from peers at Time 1 and self-esteem at Time 2 among African American participants. However, these associations were not found among Latino/a participants. Implications of findings with regards to GI and ERI development during early adolescence, socialization, and school context are discussed. / Dissertation/Thesis / Masters Thesis Counseling Psychology 2017

Despite calls for increased Adoption Communication Openness (ACO) within the adoptive family, research indicates that families still struggle to accomplish the recommended elements and levels of openness. What could be holding families back from this key process? Three focus groups comprised of 17 adoptive parents of early adolescents (aged 10-14) who were age 0-2 at the time of placement were thematically coded. This inductive analysis revealed the complexity rooted in being —sometimes successfully and sometimes not—communicatively open. Four key themes emerged painting a vivid and rich picture of: a) the breadth and depth of this experience; b) the work entailed; c) the emotionality of it; and d) the grief and loss embedded in it. These results strengthen the understanding of the lived-experience of the adoptive parent thus magnifying the call for not only further research into what drives ACO in the family, but also consistent and supportive pre- and post-adoption services and clinical work.

Obesity has become a global pandemic that not only affects adults, but also children and adolescents. It has been found that obesity among children and adolescents has emotional, social, physical and psychological ramifications, one of which is bullying. Very little has been written on the effects obesity in early adolescence has on bullying behaviour in a South African context. For this reason the researcher deemed it necessary to study the perceptions of youths in early adolescence with regard to obesity and bullying. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 35 early adolescents from the Brooklyn policing precinct in the east of Pretoria. The data were assessed through content and interpretative phenomenological analysis. Thus the researcher tried to capture the essence of each individual interview. Several themes emerged from the data analysis, of which the most noteworthy were what youths in early adolescence perceive as bullying; the influence of bullying on behaviour; a general overview of perpetrators and victims of bullying; and the correlation between an early adolescent’s body shape and victimisation. The findings give insight into how obese young adolescents are perceived and treated by their peers. Furthermore, the findings elucidate what early adolescents perceive as bullying and possible reasons for such behaviour. By identifying the perceptions held by early adolescents, programmes can be implemented to address these stereotypes, thus decreasing the potential victimisation of overweight/obese youths in early adolescence. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Early adolescence (e.g., 10-14 years old) is a time during which health habits and behaviors first develop that carry over into adulthood. This age range is also a time when changes are often first observed in typical sleep patterns, such as a delay in bedtimes, decreased total sleep times, and increased sleep problems. Electronic media and social networking have become essential to adolescent interpersonal communication and are negatively associated with adolescent sleep. Room and/or bed sharing practices and having a parent-set bedtime are still common in this age range, though no study has examined the relationship between these culturally influenced practices and the sleep of racially/ethnically diverse early adolescents. The current study examined if differences exist between 1272 Caucasian, Hispanic/Latino, and African American early adolescents (ages 10-14 years) on self-reported bedtime, SOL, TST, and sleep efficiency, and whether these differences persist when taking into account presence of electronic media in the bedroom (i.e., TV, videogame console, computer, cellphone), media use at bedtime (i.e., watching TV, playing video/computer games, social networking, texting), room sharing, and parent-set bedtimes. Preliminary results showed that females reported worse sleep than males (i.e., longer sleep onset latency, shorter TST, and lower sleep efficiency, with a trend for having a later bedtime), and that African Americans and Hispanics reported later bedtimes than Caucasians, Hispanics reported shorter sleep onset latency and longer sleep efficiency than Caucasians, and African Americans reported shorter total sleep time than Caucasians. Presence of any type of media in the bedroom or use of any type of electronic media at bedtime was associated with later bedtimes and shorter total sleep times, but not with SOL or sleep efficiency. Parent-set bedtimes were associated with earlier bedtimes, longer sleep onset latency, longer TST, and lower sleep efficiency. After controlling for significant bedtime factors, only the main effects for TST became non-significant, while the interaction became significant. Hispanic females reported shorter TST than Hispanic males, African American females reported shorter TST compared to Caucasian females, and Caucasian males reported shorter TST compared to Hispanic males. Intervention strategies such as parent education and sleep education in schools targeting the bedtime behaviors and sleeping habits of adolescents are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of middle school students particularly focusing on the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged students. Existing data show that there is an increasing cohort of school children experiencing poverty, either short or long term. For poor middle school students, the risk for school failure is amplified by the general risks associated with middle school transition and early adolescence development. The cumulative nature of these risks is often associated with undesirable school outcomes including grade retention, behavior problems, absenteeism, delinquency, teenage pregnancy, school dropout, fewer years of schooling, and lower academic achievement. However, there is evidence that some students succeed in spite of adversity, which is often attributed to protective factors present in the students’ own immediate environment – school, home, and community. This current study, therefore, examined the relationship between two potential protective factors–parent involvement and school belonging–and student achievement. Previous research has established that parent involvement and school belonging are both associated with positive school outcomes including academic motivation, self-efficacy, internal locus of control, pro-social and on-task behavior, school engagement, educational aspirations and expectations, and better academic achievement. Consequently, this study examined three main questions: (a) How is parental involvement associated with academic achievement for economically disadvantaged eighth grade students? (b) How school belonging associated with academic achievement for economically disadvantaged eighth grade students? (c) Do the relations between parent involvement, school belonging, and eighth grade achievement vary as a function of prior achievement and middle school? To answer these research questions, this study used the nationally representative longitudinal data from Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten (ECLS-K) Class of 1998/99. The findings for this study showed that when parent involvement and school belonging were considered together, the association between parent involvement and student achievement diminished while school belonging consistently emerged as a significant predictor of achievement. However, while school belonging emerged as a significant predictor of achievement, this study established that students’ prior achievement was the single strong and significant factor explaining achievement for poor eighth grade students. / text

This study investigated marital dissolution in the Tanzanian context. The study specifically focused on the potential effect of marital dissolution (both positive and negative) on early adolescents’ academic and psycho-social functioning. The primary research question directing the research is: ―How can insight into marital dissolution in Tanzania broaden our knowledge on its effect on children?‖ The conceptual framework for the study is based on attachment theory, crisis theory, family stress theory and life course theory. Epistemologically, the study utilised social constructivism as paradigm. A qualitative methodological approach was followed, implementing an instrumental case study as research design. I purposefully selected eight children from two children’s centres in Tanzania and four additional children from custodial homes. In addition, twelve parents, who had been separated from their partners, as well as twelve teachers and caregivers who have been involved with the child participants, participated in the study. For data collection I employed semi-structured interviews with the parents and children; focus group discussions with teachers and caregivers; interviews and narrations with children; and an analysis of existing documents. Field notes, a research diary and verbatim transcripts were utilised to document the data I collected. Following inductive thematic analysis four themes emerged, relating to the reasons for marital dissolution, the effect of marital dissolution on early adolescents’ functioning, trends following marital dissolution and managing marital dissolution in Tanzania. In terms of reasons for marital dissolution I identified the following subthemes: abuse, lack of commitment to the family, influence of others, and financial strain. In terms of the effect of marital dissolution on early adolescents’ functioning three subthemes emerged namely; effect on early adolescents’ academic performance, effect on early adolescents’ psycho-social well-being, and parents’ insight into the effect of marital dissolution on their children. With regard to trends following marital dissolution I identified the following three subthemes: positive effect of marital dissolution, change in living arrangements, and other related changes negatively affecting children. Finally, two subthemes emerged concerning the management of marital dissolution in Tanzania, namely minimising the effect of marital dissolution on children, and potential role of the Tanzanian government. The findings of this study indicate that the majority of Tanzanian couples merely separate, rather than following a legal divorce. Parents showed limited insight into the effect of marital dissolution on their children. Besides some children experiencing the separation of their parents as a relief, the majority of children were negatively affected in terms of their academic performance and psycho-social functioning. Children indicated the need to be involved in discussions preceding and during the separation process, yet Tanzanian parents did not value the involvement of their children during this process. Based on the findings I obtained I conclude that the effect of marital dissolution on children are not only continuous but that the effects in various areas of functioning are interrelated and cyclic in nature, and that children can experience the effects before, during and after marital dissolution. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / lk2014 / Educational Psychology / PhD / Unrestricted