Selfbeeld en coping by kinders in die middelkinderjare met aandagtekort-hiperaktiwiteitversteuring

Abstract

This study forms part of an inter-university research project concerning resilience in children and falls under the leadership of drr. E. van Rensburg and R. Beukes. The title of the umbrella project is: Resilience in children in the South African context. The current study is specifically focused on self-esteem and coping, both of which are components of resilience. These concepts are studied in connection with the presenGe of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The literature review was firstly focused on ADHD, specifically with regard to aspects such as definition, etiology, consequences and treatment. Secondly, literature relevant to coping was consulted. Aspects such as definitions and strategies of coping, as well as coping specifically applied to children and ADHD, were discussed. The last aspect to be given attention to in the literature review was self-esteem. Aspects such as historical background and definitions were considered, as well as self-esteem as it manifests in the contexts of children and ADHD. For the purpose of this empirical study, the study population consisted of children in their middle childhood from schools that were identified in various regions of South Africa by means of an availability sample. Class lists were used for randomized selection.

The test battery completed by participants consisted of the following : the children completed the Piers-Harris Self Concept Scale (PH), while parents completed the Stress Response Scale (SRS) and the Child Symptom lnventory-4 (CSl-4). The statistical processing of results revealed that a statistically significant and practically meaningful difference exists when the coping of children with and without ADHD are compared. The results of self-esteem revealed, however, no significant difference between the two groups. The final part of this thesis provides recommendations regarding further research in this field of study, as well as ideas for the practical implementation of the results obtained.