Exploring the effects of intensified play-based interventions on the subjective wellbeing of previously maltreated children in residential care in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

Exploring the effects of intensified play-based interventions on the subjective wellbeing of previously maltreated children in residential care in Port Elizabeth, South Africa

The Centre for the Study of Resilience is currently collaborating in a TDH-funded study focusing on generating systematic evidence on the resilience-enabling capacity of play-based interventions to promote the resilience (as measured by positive developmental outcomes) of children aged 9-13 years living at Oosterland Child and Youth Care Centre (OCYCC) and MTR Smit Children's Haven (MTRSCH), residential childcare centres in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. OCYCC and MTRSCH provides childcare services to children by empowering them with positive life experiences and skills to allow them to take responsibility for their life and future. Play-based interventions are mainstreamed into their child development services. The purpose of the TDH-funded intervention study is to explore the extent to which intensified, low cost play interventions can be resilience-enabling to improve children’s subjective well-being outcomes (in its dimensions such as physical, cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological). The study will research key indicators for child wellbeing outcomes such as health, learning, socio-emotional skills (emotional, social interpersonal skills, positive social relationships, sense of belonging, pro-social behaviour), and ability to cope (self-regulation/self-efficacy, agency). The working assumption is that institutionalising  play activities into residential care organisational operations may support children to buffer against predicted negative outcomes associated with childhood trauma and promote positive developmental outcomes not expected given the nature of childhood distress.

Prof Liesel Ebersöhn

Prof Liesel Ebersöhn is the Director of the Centre for the Study of Resilience and a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria and a registered educational psychologist. An NRF-rated researcher and current Secretary-General of the World Education Research Association (WERA), Liesel is an expert on social dimensions of resilience with extensive experience in intervention research on transdisciplinary resilience-enabling pathways to positive health and wellbeing outcomes in severely challenged Southern African spaces. She is engaged in high-level global education and poverty think tanks, panels and boards, is influential in Global South education development circles and actively supports education policy reform in the Global South based on evidence of resilience-enabling transformation in Africa. She is a recipient of numerous scientific association, national and institutional awards.

 

Rue Hopley

Rue holds a Master’s degree in Theology from the University of Pretoria (UP) in the year 2011 and is an ordained minister at the Nederduitsch Reformed Church of Afrika (NHKA). After her postgraduate studies, she obtained certification as a Registered Behaviour Technician from the EDS Learning Institute. Her academic pursuit lies within the field of Applied Behaviour Analysis, with a particular passion to increase the quality of life and agency of persons with intellectual disabilities through behaviour intervention. Rue is currently a part-time Reverend at the NHKA Pretoria-East Congregation and a research coordinator at the Centre for the Study of Resilience (UP).

 

Petronella Chirawu

Petronella Chirawu is a Doctoral student at the University of Pretoria, Centre for the Study of Resilience, Department of Educational Psychology. She is a trained social worker and has a Masters in Global Health and Development from the University College London, UK.  She has worked on several health and social science research projects with a focus on building the resilience of communities. Her research interests continue to be pathways to resilience of people facing adversity/challenged communities and well being of children and adolescents. Her current studies focus on exploring the effects of play-based interventions on the subjective wellbeing of previously maltreated children under the supervision of Prof Liesel Ebersöhn. 

 

Sfiso Masina

Sfiso Masina is a Master’s student at the University of Pretoria he is enrolled for Med Educational Psychology. His currently working as a Teacher Assistant at the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Pretoria. He obtained his undergraduate degree at North West University and his post-graduate degree at Nelson Mandela University. He is a member of Golden Key. Has previously worked as a supplementary instructor (Tutor) at the North West University. His academic pursuit lies within the field of educational psychology with a passion for making change and promoting optimal function in the sector of education. His current studies focus on exploring the use of play-based interventions with children in residential care to promote resilience under the supervision of Prof Liesel Ebersöhn and Petronella Chirawu.

 

Dr. Charity Somo

Dr. Charity Somo holds a masters degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Pretoria (S.A.) and a doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy, from the University of Georgia (U.S.). Her research is focused on family mental health and neurodevelopmental disorders in low-and-middle income contexts. She employs a relational and ecological framework to mobilize individuals, families and communities to experience resilience.

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