Abstract
M.Ed.
Some children in South Africa are confronted with various adversities that affect their functioning. In order to deal effectively with adversity, children need inner strength. Inner strength is a force that people have within them that motivates them to face challenges, to stand up against adversities, and to perform an effective life after difficulty. Examples of adversities are mild intellectual impairment and traumatic events such as sexual abuse.
Children who are mildly intellectually impaired and who have been sexually abused often present with language and communication difficulties and low levels of self-esteem.
Inner strength is needed to rise above and to stand steady and firm during difficult experiences. This research study was conducted to establish how Narradrama as group therapeutic intervention can address the inner strength of mildly intellectually impaired children who have been sexually abused. Narradrama is an intergration between Narrative Therapy and Drama Therapy, which makes use of creative art therapy. This study reveals how expressive arts and creative activities are therapeutic and are effective in the healing process.
The theoretical framework of Performative Psychology formed the basis of the study, which also incorporates Social Constructivism according to Vygotsky’s perspective of social experiences shaping the way individuals view the world.
This framework suggests that people’s daily performances shape the stories they and others form about themselves and informs who they are. With regards to this research study, addressing inner strength is needed in order for children to create new performances that can form alternative stories of who they are. The utilization of Narradrama activities were investigated in the process of addressing inner strength.
A qualitative research approach was chosen to understand the research topic from the participants’ perspective. It relates to the Interpretivist/Constructivist paradigm that focuses on how people create meaning out of their lives and experiences. A phenomenological design was chosen to explore Narradrama as group therapeutic intervention to address inner strength, and to explore the essence of the lived experiences of participants.
Data collection methods included unstructured in-depth interviews, artefacts and documents, and participant observation. As a method for data analysis, the thematic analysis was used to identify themes that emerged from different data sets. The first main theme that emerged related to intra-personal knowledge, which included, self-knowledge, resilience, and self-expression through creative activities. Another main theme was interpersonal skills that related to connectedness with others.
The study concludes with a discussion of possible contributions, limitations and recommendations for future research.