THE IMPACT OF GESTALT PLAY TECHNIQUES ON THE AGGRESSION LEVEL OF DIABETIC CHILDREN

Abstract

The study was undertaken to investigate the impact of gestalt group work play techniques on the aggression levels of diabetic children between the ages of 8 and 12 years. The motivation for the study developed from the researcher’s interaction at the out-patient clinic at Addington Hospital, where staff indicated a need for group work sessions with patients at the juvenile diabetic clinic. The health team who managed the children also encountered the aggression. These two aspects offered an opportunity for the researcher to investigate the effect of gestalt group work play techniques on the aggression levels of these children. The sample consisted of two boys and two girls who attended the diabetic out-patient clinic at Parklands Hospital. The researcher selected gestalt group work play techniques to assist with decreasing the aggression levels of juvenile diabetics as the group situation allowed support and security for the group members who experimented with new behaviours. A comparison of pre-test and post-test results of respondents suggest a strong recommendation for inclusion of gestalt group work play techniques in the management of juvenile diabetics. The researcher is of the opinion that the aim of the study was successfully achieved and inclusion of gestalt group work play techniques be recommended as part of the holistic treatment of juvenile diabetics

Keywords

• gestalt play techniques
• diabetic children
• addington hospital
• diabetic out-patient clinic
• parklands hospital
• gestalt group work