Effects of person centered approach and self-validation on street children's worldviews: an exploratory study

• Main Author: Marquez, Eve C.
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Animo Repository 1996
• Subjects: Street children; Personality assessment; Counseling; Educational Psychology
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_masteral/1746
• Institution: De La Salle University

This study determines the effectiveness of the Person-Centered Approach (PCA) and the Self-Validation (SV) technique in bringing about qualitative changes in the world views of 18 street children. Ten street children were given the Person-Centered-Approach while 8 were subjected to the Self-Validation technique. They were all from the Silong Tanglaw Foundation. Their ages ranged from 9 to 15 years. The study used the quasi-experimental research design. The phenomenological approach was used in getting the data and in analyzing the results. Before and after the treatment, the subjects were interviewed about their world views in terms of (1) self, (2) life, (3) people, (4) the world, and (5) the causes of people's problems. The interview guide used was the instrument developed by Clemena (1993). The medium of communication was Filipino.The responses of the subjects were subjected to content analysis. The statements of the subjects before the treatment were compared with those after the treatment. The responses of the subjects of PCA were taken individually while those of SV were treated as a group. Both groups has six sessions.The following results were obtained:1. The world views of street children were negative before the treatment. They perceived themselves as unworthy, neglected, and vagabonds. Life was sad, difficult, and not fair. They perceived people as quarrelsome, cruel, and disorderly. The world was perceived as ugly, dirty, and filled with evil. For them, the causes of people's problems were poverty, lack of money, and unemployment 2. After the treatment, the street children's perceptions became positive. They saw themselves as worthy, cared for and settled. Life was happy, important, and purposeful. They perceived people as kind and helpful while the world was beautiful and peaceful. They still perceived poverty, lack of money, and unemployment as causes of people's problems.The following conclusions were made:1. Both the Person Centered Approach and Self-Validation technique brought about positive changes in the world views of street children 2. The essential components of unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness of the counselor drew out positive effects on the street children. These gave them a better world view on self, life, and the world 3. Social, personal, and physical validating activities such as strokes, feedback, affirmation, and acceptance of the subject can bring about positive feelings in them and,4. It was deduced that the individual attention care provided by PCA helped the street children focus on themselves individually. Self-Validation helped them focus more on the group. In the PCA group, the effect of the treatment was deeper and more lasting because this approach created a stronger impression on the participants. It seemed to have contributed to the internalization of their positive aspects, thereby, making them more self-confident.