Abstract
Abstract : Depression has become an epidemic in the 21th century, and the age of those presenting with depressive symptoms continues to drop to early adolescence. Research and statistics have also shown that adolescent girls are more susceptible to experience depression than adolescent boys. As the current approaches to the treatment of depression have some short-comings, this research study proposed an additional framework to the treatment of depression in adolescents. This framework was based on the implementation of the Ericksonian principle of utilisation, namely, utilising and building upon the client’s assets and strengths in therapy. It was also based on the SARI model of ego state therapy as it expanded on phase one of the SARI model and enhanced its implementation in dealing with adolescent girls with depressive symptoms. Part of Phase 1 of the SARI model includes hypnosis for inner strength building. Hypnosis is a technique which has been used in this study. This framework was further based on the implementation of creative expressive art in therapy. The objectives of this study were to develop and describe a framework which aimed at facilitating inner strength building in adolescent girls with depressive symptoms, as well as to propose guidelines for the implementation of this framework. Inner strength is defined as that part of the psyche that remains intact, vibrant and resourceful, even as the client presents with symptoms of distress. Due to the lack of research regarding the building of inner strength in adolescent girls with depressive symptoms through ego state therapy and creative expressive art in therapy, this study aspired to address this gap. A qualitative approach has been used for this study. The design employed was that of multiple case study. The data was collected from five different sources, namely, audio recordings and transcriptions, observation, reflections, documentation and artefacts. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the material. For the purpose of the research, three participants were chosen. Each participant attended nine therapeutic sessions based on the framework suggested by this study. It became evident at the outcome of the sessions, that throughout the process, the participants felt that their inner strength grew and their depressive symptoms diminished. This research contributed to the world of theory and practice by proposing a unique, practical and brief framework for the treatment of depression in adolescent girls. It is recommended that further research be conducted in order to evaluate this framework in different conditions.
D.Ed. (Educational Psychology)