The self-concept of children disfigured by burns and the effect of role-play on their self-concept
Master Thesis
1983
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University of Cape Town
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Abstract
This study aimed at investigating the role of physical-distinctiveness as a pertinent feature of self-concept, using the special case of children disfigured by burns. Within this group of children, the study also aimed to explore, by means of a comparative study, the possibility of improving the self-concept of burned children, through the use of selected components of the D.U.S.O. Guidance Programme. Lastly, the study aimed at gaining a clear picture of the burned child in terms of both social and psychological features. Twenty-seven subjects, in three matched groups (burn treatment group, burn control group and non-burn control group) took part in the study. The burn treatment group participated in the D.U.S.O. Programme which took place over a period of five consecutive days with five daily sessions of 90 minutes each. The burn control group took part in sessions similar to those of the burn treatment group, except that they participated in play and not the D.U.S.O. Programme. The non-burn control group was introduced as a baseline measure and did not take part in any sessions. It was hypothesized that the burn groups of children would show a significant increase in overall self-concept as a result of enrichment offered by the daily sessions. It was similarly hypothesized that, due to enrichment provided by the D.U.S.O. Programme, the burn treatment group would, when compared to the burn control group, show a significant increase in overall self-concept. It was further hypothesized that the burn treatment group would, when compared to the control groups, show a significant increase in social-self, parental-self, physical-self and school-self self-concept subscales while showing a significant decrease in aggression and body-image disturbance scores on the Draw-a-Person test, due to the greater understanding and acceptance of the self promoted by the D.U.S.O. Programme. Data obtained through the use of Laubscher's (1978) Self-Concept Questionnaire for Primary School Children (Afrikaans) and Machover's Draw-a-Person test failed to support the hypotheses. A broad trend for the burn treatment group to increase on social- and physical-self subscales of self-concept was, however, found. Quantitative data were combined and these, together with data from an Adaptation Questionnaire, based on the American Association on Mental Deficiency's "Adaptive Behaviour Scale" (1975), formed the basis for building-up a profile of the psychosocial adjustment of the burned child. Results were discussed with reference to the literature. The study's limitations were examined and future areas of research were suggested.
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Bibliography: pages 200-211.
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Reference:
Frost, P. 1983. The self-concept of children disfigured by burns and the effect of role-play on their self-concept. University of Cape Town.