A group relationship therapy for pre-adolescents

Abstract

Research indicates that pre-adolescents' feelings as experienced in significant relationships with * parents * peers * teachers * objects and ideas and * self indicate the extent to which the relationship is evaluated by children as being "good" or "bad". Relationships which result in negative emotional experiences may result in children adopting certain forms of negative or irrational thinking and behaviour in an attempt to satisfy basic needs. This study was initiated as a result of an identified need for a form of therapy which would assist pre-adolescents with behaviour problems to become aware of their feelings and the resulting behaviour, to explore their feelings and so to attribute new personal meaning to significant relationships and to promote change-initiating strategies which will result in behaviour changes and more need-fulfilling relationships. Evaluation of the therapy was effected through application of the relationship therapy to a group of standard three pupils.