Self-concept Enhancement of Black Adolescents Using Transactional Analysis in a Group Context

The presence of negative self-concepts in Black adolescents in South Africa is documented in the literature. It is suggested that the presence of this negative view of self is the result of psycho-sociopolitical factors inherent in a South African context. The present study sets out to assess the effectiveness of a group counselling treatment procedure using concepts from Transactional Analysis (TA) to see whether it is an effective means of addressing the problem through the use of counselling. A sample of 36 Black adolescent (llth grade) pupils from a Pietermaritzburg school were selected as having low scores on the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS). They were randomly assigned to two treatment and two control groups for a pre-post test control design. Treatment consisted of six intensive sessions over a period of 3 weeks using an Intern, Black counsellor with limited experience. Another measure of self-concept (IIPS) was also administered prior to and after the treatment. Statistical analyses of the data indicate that there was a significant difference between the total selfconcept scores on the TSCS of the treatment and control groups. This improvement was, however, not seen on all the measures used. The results are discussed in relation to their significance and to the relevance of this method to Black adolescents in a current South African context, as well as to its use in schools. The nature of the interaction between Western-based methods of counselling with African clients is also raised as an issue needing further investigation.