Parenting needs of mothers who are survivors of CSA : a play therapeutic approach

Abstract

Social workers render services to individuals, groups, families and communities. Social workers may also specialise in play therapy. Social work practitioners are sometimes so focused on the needs of children that they forget about the needs of parents, who may themselves have experienced trauma as children. This study is guided by the Gestalt field theory which states that parents have to be involved in the therapeutic processes of their children. Children can also not be treated in isolation, as they are part of a family system. The aim of this study was to explore and describe the parenting needs of mothers who are survivors of CSA, according to a play therapeutic approach. The qualitative descriptive design was applied in this study and the purposive sampling method was used to obtain participants. Mothers who are survivors of CSA were asked to participate in this study and ten mothers volunteered to participate. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and they were also asked to make a collage on their parenting needs. The data was transcribed and coded. The following themes arose: Theme 1: Parenting needs of mothers who are survivors of child sexual abuse - Relationship with children - Nurturing and caretaking - Protection - Discipline Theme 2: The need for support and guidance with parenting Sub-theme 2.1: Support and guidance Sub-theme 2.2 Time for themselves Theme 3: Social work services. The results were presented in an article format with conclusions, recommendations and limitations of the study