SPORTS GROUP - AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT MODALITY FOR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED ADOLESCENTS

• NCJ Number: 53174
• Journal: Adolescence Volume: 13 Issue: 51 Dated: (FALL 1978) Pages: 483-493
• Author(s): J E DOZIER; S LEWIS; A G KERSEY; J W CHARPING
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Libra Publishers, Inc
• Sale Source: Boston University
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

A THERAPEUTIC PROGRAM OF SPORTS ACTIVITIES FOR EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED YOUTHS WHO CANNOT BENEFIT MAXIMALLY FROM INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY IS DESCRIBED.

Abstract

AN OUTPATIENT CHILD PSYCHIATRY CLINIC ESTABLISHED THE SPORTS PROGRAM FOR YOUTHS WHOSE VERBAL COMMUNICATION PROBLEMS PRECLUDED SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY AND FOR YOUTHS WITH PROBLEMS OF LOW SELF-ESTEEM, POOR BODY IMAGE, AND POOR PEER RELATIONSHIPS. TWO SPORTS GROUPS (ONE MALE AND ONE FEMALE) OF EIGHT YOUTHS EACH MEET TWICE A WEEK TO LEARN ABOUT AND PARTICIPATE IN A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES--BOWLING, SWIMMING, BOXING, GOLF, FOOTBALL, AND TENNIS. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF EACH SPORT ARE TAUGHT IN PHASES THAT GRADUALLY REQUIRE THE ADOLESCENTS TO DEMONSTRATE MORE SELF-CONTROL AND AUTONOMY. THE SPORTS GROUP PROVIDES YOUTHS WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN WHICH TO BECOME MORE FAMILIAR WITH AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR BODIES. GROUP LEADERS KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THE BALANCE OF FUN, ADAPTIVE REGRESSION AND EXPRESSION, AND EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTY IN THE ACTIVITIES. THE SPORTS GROUP IS LIKE OTHER FORMS OF RECREATIONAL THERAPY IN THAT IT ENCOURAGES ADAPATIVE REGRESSION AND SUPPORTS LIMITED FORMS OF IMPULSE EXPRESSION. IT IS UNIQUE IN THAT IT MAKES USE OF THE ADOLESCENT'S NORMATIVE CONCERNS ABOUT BODY, MOVEMENT, AUTONOMY, AND IDENTITY FORMATION IN A NATURAL SETTING THAT BUILDS SOCIAL SKILLS AND PERSONAL PRIDE, LIMITS DEPENDENT BEHAVIOR, AND PERMITS YOUTHS TO LEARN FROM THEIR PEERS. PARENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BECOME INVOLVED IN AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN'S SPORTS THERAPY, WHICH IS USED AS BOTH A SUPPLEMENT AND AN ALTERNATIVE TO INDIVIDUAL PSYCHOTHERAPY. OVER A 1-YEAR PERIOD, 31 ADOLESCENTS PARTICIPATED IN SPORTS GROUPS. A QUESTIONNAIRE SURVEY FOUND THAT MOST PARTICIPANTS FELT THEY WERE BECOMING MORE SELF-CONFIDENT AND MAKING MORE FRIENDS. THERAPISTS FOUND THAT MANY OF THE YOUTHS MADE SIGNIFICANT, LASTING GAINS IN PERSONAL GROWTH AS A RESULT OF THE SPORTS THERAPY. CASE STUDIES AND A LIST OF REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)