- Title
- Perceptions on the efficacy of equine assisted play therapy™ in addressing low self-esteem of young bullied children
- Creator
- Van Loggerenberg, Monique
- Subject
- Animals -- Therapeutic use
- Subject
- Play therapy Bullying Self-esteem -- South Africa Educational psychology -- South Africa
- Date Issued
- 2019
- Date
- 2019
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Doctoral
- Type
- DEd
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10948/44179
- Identifier
- vital:37126
- Description
- During the past decade, a surge of research emerged regarding the human-animal bond and how interactions with animals could be beneficial to both humans and animals on emotional, cognitive and biological levels. However, amongst others, a gap in literature on the experiences and perceptions of participants involved in animal assisted therapy programmes remain. This research focused on a specific population (bully victims presenting with low self-esteem in the middle childhood phase), also reflecting the perceptions of parties not directly involved in therapy, such as parents and teachers. This research adhered to strict ethical standards in accordance to NMU’s Ethical guidelines as well as in accordance to guidelines provided by the International Institute of Animal Assisted Play Therapy™. The welfare of both the horse and humans involved in this study was deemed equally important. Based upon the Gestalt therapy theory, the therapees were given the opportunity to explore alternatives, be creative and reveal specific therapeutic elements needing attention during each session. The focus was on building a therapeutic relationship in which the therapees could trust themselves, the therapist and horse to find the answers they needed and obtain the necessary skills to overcome feelings of helplessness when being bullied. Therapees presenting with low self-esteem results in specific vulnerability as it can be both the cause of being bullied or lead to being bullied. During the Equine Assisted Play Therapy™ (EAPT™) sessions the disempowered victim was allowed the opportunity to succeed in being assertive. Such children in therapy were given the opportunity to take centre-stage without being made fun of, whilst being encouraged to try out new behaviour and experience personal change. This study highlighted the perceptions of parents and teachers and the lived experiences of bully-victims. Exploring the efficacy of a relatively new therapeutic method, EAPT™ in addressing the low self-esteem levels and subsequent behaviour in the children who participated in this form of therapy, showed promising results in increasing self-esteem levels and positive behavioural changes in therapees.
- Format
- xix, 284 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Nelson Mandela University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Nelson Mandela University
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | SOURCE1 | Dissertation final copy.pdf | 3 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |