Tan Jiaxuan
National University Hospital, Singapore
Title: Effectiveness of self-esteem groups for mainstream teenagers with special needs
Biography
Biography: Tan Jiaxuan
Abstract
Introduction: Research has shown that children with special needs have challenges with socialization and self-esteem. To support the child’s development, pediatric occupational therapists in National University Hospital System (NUHS) Singapore conducted self-esteem groups.
Aim: To investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapy self-esteem group conducted for adolescents.
Methods: A pre-post intervention design was used. Data was collected via a 24-question self-rated 3-scaled questionnaire on self-esteem, adapted from talk about relationships. 15 children were recruited. 2 runs of 5 group sessions and 1 individual review session (1 month post intervention) were conducted. Qualitative feedback was gathered through open-ended questionnaires.
Results: 15 children completed all pre and post-intervention measure, 60% shown an improvement in self-esteem scores, 6.67% displayed no change, 33.33% shown a decrease in self-esteem scores. Further analysis revealed a negative correlation (R2= 0.414, p<0.05) between the decreased in post-intervention self-esteem scores with the increase in age of children who are 12 years 6 months and above. Awareness of self-esteem issues for the older children could likely cause them to rate their self-esteem lower after the intervention. Qualitative feedback gathered that children are keen to maintain the friendship. Parents reported an increase in confidence level for the children and suggested future booster sessions.
Conclusion: Findings supported the implementation of the self-esteem group with positive outcomes. Social relationships were developed and maintained with the scaffolding of interaction facilitated during the group. Future research should examine the prospects for generalization and maintenance of the relationships formed during the group.
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