Group Counselling Proposal (Research Paper Sample)

A Research Proposal on the Effectiveness of Group Counselling In Addressing the Developmental Challenges in Children Aged 10-12 Years Who Have Experienced Parental Conflicts and Divorce
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………..3
Background to Parental Conflicts and Divorce…………………………………...3
Problem Statement………………………………………………………………….3
Research Question…………………………………………………………………..5
Objectives…………………………………………………………………………….5
General Objective or Group Goal………………………………………5
Specific Objectives……………………………………………………….5
Justification……………………………………………………………………….....6
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW……………………………………………..7
Introduction………………………………………………………………………….7
Literature Review…………………………………………………………………...7
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….10
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY (GROUP FORMAT)………………………..11
Recruitment………………………………………………………………………...11
Screening…………………………………………………………………………...11
Selection…………………………………………………………………………….12
Ethical practices……………………………………………………………………13
Crisis and Trauma…………………………………………………………………14
Leadership and Theoretical Perspectives………………………………………...14
Group Treatment or Action Plan…………………………………………………15
CHAPTER FOUR: REFERENCES……………………………………………………...17
1.0 CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1Background to Parental Conflicts and Divorce
Parental conflicts are every day phenomena in families. It is not uncommon to find parents at conflict with each other. As long as two or more people are together, conflicts are inevitable. What matters is the ability of the persons to relate calmly and positively with each other, even when disagreements are inevitable. However, when the conflicts become frequent and disruptive, the effects are not only borne by the parents, but also to children. Disruptive conflicts have been known to result in parental separation, single-parenthood, or even divorce (Amato & Cheadle, 2008). Following these events, the familial structure and functions becomes equally disrupted, producing myriad effects on the children’s growth and development. Therefore, group counselling is very essential in reversing the negative impacts of parental conflicts or divorce on children. This paper explores the effectiveness of group counselling on children who have experienced parental conflicts or divorce.
1.2 Problem Statement
The effects of parental conflicts and divorce on children aged 10-12 years cannot be underestimated. This is because the conflict affects the children’s development process in numerous ways. Firstly, parental conflict affects the children’s interpersonal relations (Kuros et al. 2008; Vairami &Voria, 2007). Children whose parents keep fighting find it hard to approach them. The fear instilled in them by the fighting process harbours the ability to relate with their parents (Amato & Chidle, 2008). The same may be reflected in their schools, where they find it hard to approach peers or make friends. This is because the impact of these conflicts on the children leads to emotional and behavioural adjustments, commonly manifested in internalizing and externalizing behaviour changes (Kouros et al. 2008; Rhoades, 2008). As a result of the internalizing and externalizing behaviour tendencies in these children, psychotherapy in the form of group counselling or otherwise is highly necessary.
The psychological impacts of parental conflict or divorce on the children can be severe. Amato and Chidle (2008 p. 1143) contend that observing conflict between parents is a direct stressor to children. Stress emanates from inability to reach out to parents because of the ensuing conflict. Whenever they try approach their parents, just the thought of their conflicting selves depresses the desire. Furthermore, children are likely to be afraid of their parents or some egocentric ones will blame themselves for the conflict. Rhoades (2008 p. 1942) contends that it is not the conflict itself that causes effects on the children, but rather the proximal processes that account for the causality between the conflict and child psychological problems. As a result, the children’s psychological problems are likely to cause behaviour changes that will impact their developmental processes, requiring the intervention of cognitive behaviour therapy (Melfsen et al. 2011).
Furthermore, the academic performance in such children is likely to deteriorate. The emotional volatility of children in the presence of parents who are constantly fighting is likely to result in their poor performance (Amato & Chidle, 2008). Kouros et al. (2008) posit that children have a sense of security in the family’s subsystems and the entire household. However, in the face of parental conflicts, such children feel emotionally unsecure, thereby exacerbating their emotional volatility. The consequence of such an outcome is that it affects the children’s concentration and conceptual grasps in school. The emotional insecurity is likely to bear other problems such as stress, depression, fear, guilt, and low self-esteem, aggravating the academic inadequacies (Vairami & Vorria, 2008). As a result, cognitive behavioural therapy is necessary to reverse these adverse outcomes in the child’s development process.
In conclusion, children from families with parental conflicts or from divorced families usually experience emotional, behavioural and psychological disturbances that affect their development processes. The effects of the conflict has the potential to create mental health conditions that will further worsen the development process. Therefore, group counselling therapy, in the form of psychotherapy or cognitive behaviour can be overly helpful in averting future mental health disorders in such type of children.
1.3 Research Question
Is group counselling therapy effective in addressing the developmental challenges in children aged 10-12 who have experienced parental conflicts and divorce?
1.4 Objectives
1.4.1 General Objective or Group Goal
The goal of group counselling therapy is to help the participants in navigating their social, emotional, educational, as well as psychological problems, and the development of a positive self-concept and fulfilment through self-actualization through group sharing and problem-solving techniques.
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
To determine the group members social demographics.
To identify the group members feelings due to parental conflicts and divorce.
To identify the best way to communicate ...