The short-term effect of a group drumming intervention on aggressive behaviour among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder **

Authors

  • Elize Janse van Rensburg University of the Free State
  • Carina van der Merwe University of the Free State
  • Janine Harholdt University of the Free State
  • Putter Lucinda University of the Free State
  • Maureen Taylor University of the Free State
  • Tarina Buitendag University of the Free State
  • Monique Chelin University of the Free State
  • Cornel van Rooyen University of the Free State
  • Rialda Hattingh University of the Free State
  • Jacqueline van Druten University of the Free State

Abstract

Aggressive behaviour is a primary symptom of conduct disorder and is one of the strongest predictors of criminality for individuals with conduct disorder. There is a need for appropriate interventions targeting aggressive behaviour among adolescents with conduct disorder that is relevant to the diverse South African population. This study reports on the short-term effect of a group drumming intervention program on aggression among adolescent girls (13 to 18 years) diagnosed with conduct disorder at a school for girls with behavioural problems in the Free State. An experimental, randomised pre-test post-test control group design was used. The intervention group (n=13) was exposed to a three-week drumming intervention while their matched controls (n=13) continued with their normal daily program. Both groups completed the Aggression Scale questionnaire before and after the intervention. The median Aggression Scale score of the intervention group showed a marked decrease from 20 to 7 from the pre-test to the post-test, although this difference was not statistically significant (95% CI [-13;5]). The median difference between the post-test scores for the control and intervention groups did, however, reveal a statistically significant difference in the levels of aggression experienced by the respective groups after the intervention (95% CI [-28;-3]). This study therefore delivered promising results suggesting that group drumming can be an effective intervention for the reduction of aggression among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder.

Aggressive behaviour is a primary symptom of conduct disorder and is one of the strongest predictors of criminality for individuals with conduct disorder. There is a need for appropriate interventions targeting aggressive behaviour among adolescents with conduct disorder that is relevant to the diverse South African population. This study reports on the short term effect of a group drumming intervention program on aggression among adolescent girls (13 to 18 years) diagnosed with conduct disorder at a school for girls with behavioural problems in the Free State. An experimental, randomised pre-test post-test control group design was used. The intervention group (n=13) was exposed to a three week drumming intervention while their matched controls (n=13) continued with their normal daily program. Both groups completed the Aggression Scale questionnaire before and after the intervention. The median Aggression Scale score of the intervention group showed a marked decrease from 20 to 7 from the pre-test to the post-test, although this difference was not statistically significant (95% CI [-13;5]). The median difference between the post-test scores for the control and intervention groups did, however, reveal a statistically significant difference in the levels of aggression experienced by the respective groups after the intervention (95% CI [-28;-3]). This study therefore delivered promising results suggesting that group drumming can be an effective intervention for the reduction of aggression among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder.

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Author Biographies

  • Elize Janse van Rensburg, University of the Free State

    Qualifications: B Occ Ther (UFS), M Occ Ther (UFS)

    Position: Lecturer, Dept of Occupational Therapy, University of the Free State

  • Carina van der Merwe, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State
  • Janine Harholdt, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State
  • Putter Lucinda, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State
  • Maureen Taylor, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State
  • Tarina Buitendag, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State
  • Monique Chelin, University of the Free State

    Qualifications: B Com (Eco & Stats) (UCT)

    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State

     

    * indicates significant difference

  • Cornel van Rooyen, University of the Free State

    Qualifications: M Com (UFS)

    Position: Researcher, Dept of Biostatistics, University of the Free State

  • Rialda Hattingh, University of the Free State

    Qualifications: B Occ Ther (UFS), M Occ Ther (UFS)

    Position: Junior Lecturer, Dept of Occupational Therapy, University of the Free State

  • Jacqueline van Druten, University of the Free State
    Final-year Occupational Therapy Student, University of the Free State

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Published

07-09-2016

Issue

Vol. 46 No. 2 (2016): South African Journal of Occupational Therapy

Section

Research Articles

How to Cite

The short-term effect of a group drumming intervention on aggressive behaviour among adolescent girls diagnosed with conduct disorder **. (2016). South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46(2), 16-22. https://journals.assaf.org.za/index.php/sajot/article/view/19616
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