The aim of this research was to compare the quality of parent- child
relationships and child development in a group of 20 adolescents (aged
13-17) who were raised in intact families of origin (Family Group: N1 =
20, x age = 15.65 years, 10 males and 10 females) with a group of 20
adolescents who had been placed in residential substitute care either as
children or adolescents (Residential Substitute Care Group: N2 = 20, x
age = 16.25 years, 10 males and 10 females). The group of residential
substitute care subjects was subdivided by age at placement into two
subgroups of ten subjects, each with five males and five females. The
Child Placement Subgroup (n1 = 10, x age at placement = 4 years) contained
adolescents placed during childhood, the cut-off age for inclusion
in the subgroup being six years of age. The Adolescent Placement Subgroup
(n2 = 10, x age at placement = 14.25 years) comprised subjects
placed between the ages of 12 and 16 years. Each subject was assessed
using a 52 item Ego State Inventory (McCarley, 1975) which yields five
measures of ego states (Punitive Parent, Nurturing Parent, Adult, Rebellious
Child, Adaptive Child). Each subject was interviewed using a
Brief Questionnaire for background information and a 20 question version
of the Life Script Questionnaire. Videotaped interviews were
analyzed for the presence of parent messages given by mothers and
fathers. Life scripts were descriptively analyzed for: decisions about
life made by subjects; their episcripts; affective, cognitive and behavioural
components of racket systems; and identifications, characteristics
and themes apparent in their fantasy systems denoted by
choices of favourite modern myths (nursery rhymes, fairy tales, story
books, and TV programs). Statistical analysis of ego state scores of the
Family Group and Residential Substitute Care Group confirms the
hypothesis that the two research groups would differ significantly. Life
script analysis also confirmed an hypothesized qualitative difference between
these two groups. The Child Placement Subgroup and Adolescent
Placement Subgroup did not, however, significantly statistically differ
from each other in terms of ego state measures. In terms of the nature
and frequency of parent messages there is a qualitative difference between
the life scripts of Family Group and Residential Substitute Care
subjects. Decisions about life, the racket system and fantasy systems of
Family Group and Residential Substitute Care Group subjects also indicate
qualitative differences. Interpretations of the data in terms of
Transactional Analysis (TA) theory and within the object relations
development frameworks of Winnicott and Mahler suggest differences
between the Family Group and Residential Substitute Care Group in
terms of the nature and quality of the parent-child relationship and child
development. An object relations developmental retrospective for Family
Group and Residential Substitute Care Group subjects suggests a
greater capacity for healthier object relating in the former group than
the latter group. Additionally, an object relations developmental
retrospective comparing Child Placement with Adolescent Placement
subjects suggests parent-child relationships and child development
within the former subgroup to be of less optimal quality than the latter
group. Analysis of parent messages issued by significant other parent
figures to Residential Substitute Care subjects denote poor quality substitute-
parent child relationships and raise concern about the quality and
validity of 'substitute care' services. Two case studies of Residential
Substitute Care group subjects (Marilyn and Colin) are provided. The
data are discussed in relation to issues and trends in residential substitute
care, with a view to making suggestions and recommendations
designed to enhance substitute care services in South Africa. The research
evaluates the use of TA as a methodology suited to exposing
qualitative differences between small sample groups and its utility, interfacing
with Winnicott's and Mahler's frameworks, in inferring an object
relations developmental retrospective. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:ukzn/oai:http://researchspace.ukzn.ac.za:10413/6141 |
| Date | January 1988 |
| Creators | Cassidy, Michael John. |
| Contributors | Killian, Beverley Janet. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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