The Effects of Group Psychotherapy on the Adjustment of Four 12-Year-Old Boys with Learning and Behavior Problems

Abstract

The emotional development and socialization of children with learning disabilities are often neglected in the process of remediating specific scholastic problems. This article relates the experience and outcome of group therapy during which some psychodrama techniques were used with four, 12-year-old boys with general adjustment and peer-group problems. Attention is drawn to the usefulness of starting with a concrete activity and to the value of having two therapists of different sexes. According to the CPQ results, feedback from parents and teachers and personal observation, the boys showed improvement in their patterns of communication, attitudes, and general adjustment.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Baum, N. , Psychodrama and Multi Media Therapy with Emotionally Disturbed Children . Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 1973;26:48-66.

Bryan, T. , Learning Disabled Childrens' Comprehension of Nonverbal Communication . Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1977;10:501-506.

Bryan, T. , An observational analysis of classroom behaviors of children with learning disabilities. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1974;7:26-34.

Bryan, T. , Wheeler, R. , Felcan, J. , Henek, T. , An observational study of childrens' communications. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1976;9:661-669.

Children's Personality Questionnaire: South African Standardization-Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa, 1972.

Fischer, R. , Garrison, C. , Transactional Analysis and Role Training in the Classroom: A pilot study. Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 1977;30:142-145.

Hock, R.A. , A Model for Conjoint Group Therapy for Asthmatic Children and their parents . Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry , 1977;30:108-113.

Lockwood, J. , Harr, B.J. , Psychodrama: A therapeutic tool with children in group play therapy . Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama and Sociometry, 1973;26:53-67.

Nsais (New South African Individual Scale): Institute for Psychometric Research, Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria, South Africa, 1970.

10.

Shearon, E.M. , Shearon, W. , Some uses of Psychodrama in Education. Group Psychotherapy, Psychodrama and Sociometry, 1973;26:47-52.