The effect of dance movement therapy on the self-esteem and state of hostility of sexually abused adolescents at a children's home

Abstract

The research aimed to establish the effect of dance movement therapy on self-esteem and level of hostility in an adolescent population at a children s home. A quantitative study, using quasi-experimental design, was carried out in the form of standardised questionnaires. The qualitative data was used to investigate the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Cook-Medley Hostility Scale. A total of 18 participants participated in the research of which eight were assigned to the experimental group and ten to the control group. A between-group comparison was done for both questionnaires on the results of the pre- and post-test of both groups. All 18 participants completed the two questionnaires (pre-test) and thereafter the experimental group were subjected to the six-week dance movement therapy programme. Again, the 18 participants completed both the questionnaires (post-test). Non-parametric statistics was used to determine whether a difference existed between the experimental- and control group. It appears that the experimental group did not show statistical significant difference between the pre- and post-test in both variables. However, possible explanations for the lack of statistical significant results are discussed. Further research, especially conducted on a South African population, is necessary to establish the role of dance movement therapy on sexual abuse victims.