Aard van betekenisgewing in die identiteitsvestiging van adolessente met probleme

Abstract

Die doel van hierdie studie was om die aard van betekenisgewing in die identiteitsvestiging van adolessente met probleme, veral ten opsigte van die realiteit en by die aanleer van sekere lewensvaardighede, te ondersoek. Die ondersoek bestaan uit 'n literatuurstudie sowel as 'n eie empiriese ondersoek. Die betekenisgewingsfenomeen is vanuit 'n empiries-pedagogiese perspektief ondersoek, veral met die implikasies daarvan vir identiteitsvestiging. Die adolessent met probleme is geneig om op 'n onrealistiese wyse betekenisse aan sy verskillende relasies toe te ken. In kort bestaan die probleem daarin dat die adolessent met probleme nie oor die vermoe beskik om die eie 'self' objektief waar te neem nie. Die adolessent se gebrekkige insig en begrip van die realiteit lei dikwels tot irrasionele of onlogiese betekenisgewing. Irrasionele denkwyses veroorsaak by sommige adolessente gevoelens soos angs, vrees, emosionele opwelling, selfverwyt, minderwaardigheid en rigiditeit. Hierdie emosionele probleme manifesteer in 'n identiteitskrisis en word sigbaar in die adolessent se gedrag. Adolessente wat irrasionele betekenisse toeken en nie tot realistiese identiteitsvestiging kom nie, leef dikwels hulle probleme uit deur te steel, seksueel losbandige lewens te lei, dwelmmiddels te gebruik en selfs van die huis weg te loop. In die literatuurstudie is verder ook aandag gegee aan die volgende: • Terapievorme wat van toepassing is in die hulpverlening aan adolessente wat irrasionele betekenisse toeken, • Hulpverlening in groepsverband en • Kommunikasie in groephulpverleningsgebeure. Die empiriese ondersoek is 'n idiografiese ondersoek wat aan die hand van 'n model, volgens Dryden, wat gestruktureer en aangepas is, uitgevoer is. Die model is gebaseer op rasionele-emotiewe-terapie (RET) soos voorgestaan deur Ellis. Vyf adolessente is in die ondersoek betrek. Aan een adolessent is op individuele basis hulp verleen terwyl die ander vier adolessente groepshulpverlening ontvang het. Dit blyk uit die idiografiese ondersoek dat die model en werkswyse wat toegepas is, wel 'n bydrae kan lewer tot die wysiging van onrealistiese betekenisgewing by adolessente met probleme. Deur die hulpverlening verwerf die adolessent 'n lewensvaardigheid waardeur oorgegaan word tot realistiese betekenisgewing en -identiteitsvestiging. Uit die bevindinge van die ondersoek word enkele aanbevelings met betrekking tot verdere navorsing en praktykvoering gemaak.

The aim of the study was to investigate the nature of meaning attribution by which adolescents with problems establish their identity. The following aspects were focussed on: the reality and acquiring certain life-skills. The investigation comprises a literature study as well as an empirical investigation. An empirical-pedagogic perspective was used to examine the phenomenon of significance attribution and the implications thereof in establishing identity. The adolescent with problems tends to attribute unrealistic meaning to his various relationships. Briefly the problems exist because of the lack of ability to perceive the 'self' objectively. This inadequate perception of the adolescent with problems, causes him to attribute irrational or illogical meaning. The tendency of some adolescents, to attribute irrational meaning, causes feelings of anxiety, fear, emotional ebullition, self-blame, inferiority and rigidity. These emotional problems are manifested in an identity crisis and show in the actions of the adolescent. The adolescents, who attribute unrealistic meaning and who do not arrive at realistic self-definition, often act out their problems by stealing, living promiscuous lives, abusing drugs and absconding from home. In the study of literature the following aspects were also focussed on: • Types of therapy applicable in rendering assistance to the adolescent who attributes unrealistic meaning. • Group therapy. • Communication in group therapy events. The empirical research comprises an idiographic investigation, structured on an adapted form of Dryden's model. The model is based on rational-emotive therapy, (RET) as advocated by Ellis. five adolescents were used in this investigation. Individual therapy was given to one adolescent while the other four adolescents received group therapy. From the idiographic investigation it has become evident that the model and the procedure followed, can make a contribution to the adolescent with problems, in changing his tendency to attribute unrealistic meaning to his relationships. He can make successful use of the model as an acquired life-skill to attribute significant meaning in his efforts to arrive at a realistic self-definition. He is thus able to actualise his defined self. Based on the findings of this investigation certain recommendations, concerning further research, as well as counselling in practice, were proposed.