in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Education
(Educational Psychology) / A substance abuse problem among street children has been acknowledged and treatment has not
proved beneficial. The general aim of this study was to investigate their drugging habits and
attitudes to drugging and treatment, in order to elucidate reasons for this failure and provide
direction for an effective treatment approach.
An exploratory study utilizing a non-probability sample (N=16) of male street children, aged 12
to 16, from a Johannesburg shelter, was carried out. An unconventional approach to gathering
information was developed, within the framework of one-hour group discussions heId over seven
weeks. Questions devised by the researcher were presented as stimuli for group discussion, story
telling, and drawings. Data were also collected through a voting procedure.
Results confirm regular substance abuse and dependency which merits attention. Maintaining
factors were the suppression of emotional ...., low self esteem, and socialmotivators, i.e., to gain
confidence and maintain networks. Risks and actual negative effects of substance abuse were
vaguely perceived.
These findings must be regarded as tentative, due to the small sample. More research, utilizing
subjects not living in shelters and those in other shelters, should be done to find out if these findings
are replicated .
.A suggested treatment modality is group therapy and the changing of group norms, Groups would
be conscientising. Specific aims could be formulated hy the group members, but could include
general life skills and the development of alternative reinforcing activities. Peer mentoring could
be considered. / Andrew Chakane 2018
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/25062 |
| Date | January 1993 |
| Creators | Geddes, Fiona |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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