Benutting van sandspel in die eksplorering van die leefwêreld van adolessente volgens die gestaltbenadering in maatskaplike werk

[摘要] Goal: The aim of this study is to use the Gestalt approach to explore, and to makeuse of sandplay to describe and observe the world of the adolescent client, in orderto lead the social worker to gain insight and understanding to the world of theadolescent.This study was done because the researcher observed that sandplay achieved verypositive effects with children, adolescents and adults. This study was motivated bythe desire to provide recommendations to the social workers in practice about thevalue and use of sandplay in the exploration of the world of the adolescentThe literature study focussed on a) the adolescent life-phase in order to determinethe specific developmental aspects and characteristics of the adolescent, b) to definethe possibilities of sandplay as an exploration medium, as well as c) assessing theGestalt approach as orientation theory and as practice theory with sandplay.In this research, a qualitative methodology was used combined with a case-studyresearch design. Sandplay was used as a medium for exploration with threeadolescent participants. They were selected by means of a non-probabilitysampling. The researcher used detailed, in-depth, data gathering methods whichincluded six measuring instruments. These instruments included: a standardisedquestionnaire to give an indication of personality-traits of the participants; twoquestionnaires to determine the behaviour, thought patterns and domesticcircumstances of the participants; semi-structured interview-schedules to explorethe sandtrays of the participants; photographs to accurately capture and record thesandtrays; as well as observations recording the behaviour and non-verbalcommunication of the participants.The researcher concludes that, according to the Gestalt-approach, exploration withsandplay is an effective method to explore the world of the adolescent. This methodprovides adequate information to the social worker to understand the world of the adolescent client. Sandplay, according to the Gestalt approach, contributes value tosocial work practice, because it enhances the effectiveness of exploration andintervention. Sandplay provides the social worker with comprehensive informationabout the adolescent, and enables the social worker to identify the core problem ofthe adolescent expeditiously. Sandplay involves the adolescent in a sensory,cognitive and emotional manner, which contributes to more information beingexposed that leads to more effective interventions. This method is also novel,interesting and challenging to the social worker and the adolescent.The researcher recommends sandplay for the exploration of the world of theadolescent be preceded by establishing a therapeutic relationship with theadolescent. Once a relationship is established a number of sandtrays can be built,and thoroughly explored. The first sandtray should be non-directive. Directivesandtrays are subsequently recommended to explore specific themes and to handletrauma and/or issues which the adolescent may experience. It is also recommendedthat the social worker utilizes hypotheses, which can be postulated from the symbolicmeanings of miniatures, as well as interpretations from other sandplay research inhis/her exploration of sandtrays.The social worker, who uses sandplay to explore the world of the adolescentaccording to the Gestalt approach, should be knowledgeable about sandplay, thesymbolic meaning of miniatures, sandplay research and the Gestalt approach asorientation theory and practice theory.This study was done with three Afrikaans-speaking adolescent foster children, andthe findings may not apply to other populations. Additional research needs to bedone with a wider sample of adolescents, that covers different cultures, languageand domestic backgrounds.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University