Effects of Group Dynamics Activities on the Self-Concept of Street Children

Abstract

Around the world and even in the Philippines, many children are forced to work, live and survive on the streets. These children resort to begging, vending and other means of livelihood just to provide food for themselves, as well, as for their families. During their stay in the streets, they are exposed to various dangers, risks and abuses. Because of these, their perceptions about themselves and other people are affected. Many studies both local and foreign illustrate that thousands of children are considered homeless, abandoned and neglected. They are forced to live and work on the streets. In the Philippines, there is an average of 3,291 abandoned children who are housed in child-caring institutions, foster homes and other substitute homes yearly (Council for the Welfare of Children, 1992). Because of the growing problems of the street children, the government together with the various non-governmental organizations provides different programs and interventions to respond to the growing needs of the street children especially in improving their conception of their physical, social and attitudinal characteristics. Self-concept 1s considered as a significant component of the personality of a person. - According to Jersild (1975), Hurlock (1955), Munarriz (1988), Rogers (Hall, er, al, 1998) and other self-theorists, self-concept is composed of the ideas, perceptions of the person about his or her physical, social, attitudinal attributes and other characteristics which mold the whole personality of a person. It is developed and affected by the continuous interaction and relation of the person to his or her environment. The reactions, ideas, and opinions of other people have some effects in the formation of self-concept. As an intervention to remedy the damaged or low self-concept of street children, group dynamics was used in this study. Group dynamics is the study of forces exerted by the group on the individual or by the individual on the group (Reeves, 1970). It is about the nature and components of groups, laws that govern their development and interaction of individuals, other groups and even institutions (Cartwright and Zander, 1960). This study is about the relationship of group dynamics activities and the self-concept of the street children who are residing at Kanlungan Sa Er-Ma located at Agoncillo Street, Malate, Manila. The general objective of this research is to determine the effects of group dynamics activities on the self-concept of the street children The specific objectives are the following: (1) to determine if there is a difference on the self-concept of the street children in the physical dimension which consists of the physical appearance and physical health domain before and after the group dynamics sessions as perceived by the street children and as perceived by the social worker, (2) to determine if there is a difference on the self-concept of the street children in the social dimension before and after the group dynamics sessions as perceived by the street children and as perceived by the social worker, (3) to determine if there is a difference on the self-concept of the street children in the attitudinal dimension which consists of the self-worth, self-acceptance, self-confidence, emotional state and aspiration, before and after the group dynamics sessions as perceived by the street children and as perceived by the social worker, and (4) to determine the self-concept of the street children before, after and during the group dynamics sessions. | The descriptive design was employed in this study to determine the difference in the dimensions of self-concept before and after the implementation of the treatment for two months which consists of the group dynamics activities. There are two (2) sets of respondents, namely; (1) the street children and (2) social worker. Originally, there were fourteen (14) subjects in the study but only twelve (12) street children completed the group dynamics activities. The modules of group dynamics activities were used as an alternative method to enhance the self-concept of street children. The modules were composed of six sessions namely: (1) Assessment of Self-Concept, (2) Ang Aking Katawan, (3) Ang Aking Mga Ugali, (4) Ako at ang Aking Kapwa, (5) Paglaki Ko, and (6) Culminating Activity. These modules were designed to enhance and develop the physical, social and attitudinal dimensions of the self-concept of street children. The 4- point self-concept rating scale, both for the street children and the social worker were used to compare the dimensions of self-concept of the street children before and after the group dynamics sessions. Observations during the group dynamics sessions were also employed to determine the self-concept of the street children using the observation guide. All these instruments were validated by an expert. The limitations of the study are the following: (1) sample was relatively small, (2) short duration of the study, (3) differences in educational attainment, family background and in age distribution, (4) irregular intervals of the group dynamics sessions, (5) differences in the degree of emotional problems of the street children, and (6) biases of the social worker. The general hypotheses tested in this study are the following: The null hypothesis ( Ho ) for this study is that group dynamics activities have no significant effects on the dimensions of the self-concept of street children. The alternative hypothesis ( Hj ) for this study is that group dynamics activities have significant effects on the dimensions of the self-concept of street children. The Matched Pair t-test was used to compute for each of the eight (8) domains of the physical, social and attitudinal dimensions of the self-concept of the street children as perceived by the subjects themselves and as perceived by the social worker. Using .05 alpha level of one-tailed hypothesis and 11 as the degree of freedom, the t-critical value is 1.796. Moreover, the t-obtained of the domains of the dimensions of self-concept of the street children as perceived by the subjects are the following: (1) physical dimension—- physical appearance, 1.10, (2) physical health, .92, (3) social dimension, .28, (4) attitudinal dimension---self-worth, 1.27, (5) self-acceptance, 1.73, (6) self-confidence, 94, (7) emotional state, 1.48, and (8) aspiration .79 . Based on the results , the conclusion is that there no significant difference on physical, social and attitudinal dimensions the self-concept of the street children before and after the group dynamics sessions as perceived by the subjects. In relation to this, the t-obtained of the domains of the dimensions of self-concept of the street children as perceived by the social worker are the following: (1) physical dimension—physical appearance, .13, (2) physical health, 69, (3) social dimension, 1.45, (4) attitudinal dimension——self-worth, 232, (5) self-acceptance, 1.65, (6) self-confidence, .68 , (7) emotional state, 1.95, and (8) aspiration, -5.74 . Based on the results, there is also no significant difference on the physical, social and attitudinal dimensions of the street children before and after the group dynamics sessions as perceived by the social worker except for the emotional domain of the attitudinal dimension which has t-obtained of 1.95. However, there were positive changes observed during the group dynamics sessions such as improvement on the emotional state, interpersonal relationships and perceptions about themselves and other people. The improvements were decrease in aggressive, inhibited and resistant behaviors. There was decrease in the occurrence of tantrums, excessive crying and competitiveness. They learned to control their emotions and to be more accepting to different situations such as defeat in games and others. Moreover, cohesiveness and harmony among the subjects were also strengthened. The street children learned to work with other street children and to be more concerned to others. The self-concept of the street children before, during and after the group dynamics activities is composed of the physical, social, and attitudinal dimensions. Based on the observations of the facilitator and process observer, it can be concluded that the street children in Kanlungan sa Er-Ma were like other street children who exhibited negative perceptions on their physical, social and attitudinal attributes. They exhibited aggressive behaviors, emotional instability, low self-confidence and negative perceptions on their physical appearance. However, there were positive changes after the group dynamics such as improvements on their emotional state, social interactions and perceptions about themselves and other people. There was a decrease in aggressive, inhibited and resistant behaviors as the group dynamics sessions progressed. There was also a decrease in the occurrence of tantrums, excessive crying and competitiveness. They learned to control their emotions and to be more accepting to different situations such as defeat in games and others. Moreover, cohesiveness and harmony among the subjects were already present after the group dynamics sessions. The street children learned to work with other street children and to be more concerned to others. It is concluded that group dynamics activities were effective in improving the emotional state of the attitudinal dimension, as well, as in improving the interpersonal relationships and perceptions about themselves and other people based on the evaluation of the social worker and the observation of the facilitator and process observer. Thus, it is recommended that group dynamics activities be used as a method not only to improve the emotional state domain of the self-concept but the whole personality, as well. Furthermore, it is recommended that experts and consultants would assist the Institutions for the improvements on the programs and the introduction of other strategies such as counseling to enhance the self-concept of the street children, their whole personality, as well as, to understand more the depth of the emotional problems and current conditions of the street children. It is also recommended to provide trainings and seminars for the volunteers and social workers of the Institution to improve facilitating skills and other skills needed in group dynamics activities. Moreover, t is also recommended to have linkage with other nongovernmental organizations to learn more strategies and other programs that would help the street children to improve their current situations. The study also recommends that formal schooling should be provided to the street children in the Institution and more tutoring services to enhance their intellectual deficiencies. In relation to this, it is recommended for the research field to conduct future studies about the effects of group dynamics activities on the self-concept of the street children. Furthermore, more sessions of the group dynamics activities and regular intervals of conducting the activities are recommended to ensure the effectiveness of the group dynamics activities on the self-concept of the street children. The use of key informant interviews with the street children and social worker are also recommended to provide more descriptive views on the self-concept of the street children, as well, as on the effects of the group dynamics activities. Moreover, observations of the sample before and after the group dynamics activities would be necessary to validate the answers of the subjects, as well as, to validate the answers of the social worker. In relation to this, the research recommends that longer duration of the study is needed to provide time for the changes and development of the self-concept. Furthermore, a follow up study on the other aspects self-concept of the street children who are subjects of this study is recommended to monitor the development and improvements in their personhood. Moreover, further research regarding the conditions of the street children is recommended to determine and provide the appropriate group dynamics activities based on their experiences and circumstances. In relation to this, it also recommends further study on the nature of group dynamics activities as a field of knowledge and as a method used in improving not only the self-concept of a person but the entire personhood of an individual.