THE EXTENDED PLAY-BASED DEVELOPMENTAL ASSESSMENT: CHILDREN FIVE TO NINE YEARS OLD WITH TRAUMA HISTORY Janet R. O’Donnell A dissertation to fulfill the requirements for a DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY IN COUNSELING PSYCHOLOGY at NORTHWEST UNIVERSITY 2012 Signatures have been omitted for security reasons. Approval Signatures: Committee Chair (Jacqueline N. Gustafson, Ed.D.) Date Committee Member (Sarah B. Drivdahl, Ph.D.) Date Committee Member (K. Kim Lampson, Ph.D.) Date Dean of College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (Matt Nelson, Ph.D.) Date Abstract Children who have experienced trauma and abuse require special provisions to navigate successfully through the initial phase of therapy, in particular the assessment process (Briere, Johnson, Bissada, Damon, Crouch, & Gill, 2006; Nader, 2008), which suggests the use of a more child friendly, play-based model of assessment (Shelby & Berk, 2009; Cattanach, 2008; Gil, 2006; Greenspan & Greenspan, 2003). The Extended Play-Based Development Assessment (EPBDA), developed by Eliana Gil (2011), is an integrated assessment model that uses directive and nondirective play approaches, intended to recognize the developmental levels of the different ages, and offers a step by step procedure for standardized use. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of participants using the EPBDA following a qualitative, collective case design. Data collection included interviews, questionnaires, direct observation, therapist field notes, and audio/visual materials. The participants included four children with a trauma history, between the ages of five and nine years of age. Further, the study examined the experiences of the parents and therapist. From the constructivism perspective, this study focused on the participant’s viewpoint, the play room setting in which experiences were made, and the meanings behind those experiences. Themes that emerged from this study included the experiences of enjoyment, calmness, and enrichment. Conclusions drawn from this study are in close alignment with the theoretical material that justifies play-based assessment as a practical clinical method. The results of this study will contribute to the body of knowledge in play therapy and the assessment of children with a trauma history; moreover, this study utilized a practical model that a therapist can easily replicate in clinical practice and research. Table of Contents Acknowledgments................................................................................................................ i List of Tables......................................................................................................................... ii I. Introduction to the Study................................................................................................... 1 Background.................................................................................................................. 2 Information about the Study......................................................................................... 4 The Research Problem/Question.................................................................................. 6 Methodology................................................................................................................. 6 Assumptions and Limitations........................................................................................ 7 Significance.................................................................................................................. 8 Summary........................................................................................................................ 8 II. Literature Review............................................................................................................ 9 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 9 Theories in Child Development.................................................................................... 9 Jean Piaget.............................................................................................................. 10 Lev Vygotsky.......................................................................................................... 12 Trauma.......................................................................................................................... 15 Play Therapy.................................................................................................................. 16 Directive and Nondirective Play.............................................................................. 18 Summary......................................................................................................................... 21 III. Research Design and Methodology.................................................................................. 23 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 23 Rationale for Qualitative Research................................................................................ 23 Overview of Research.................................................................................................... 24 Credibility of Therapist................................................................................................. 24 Participants.................................................................................................................... 25 Procedures..................................................................................................................... 25 Video Recordings..................................................................................................... 26 Human Subjects Review Board................................................................................ 26 Materials.......................................................................................................................... 27 Setting............................................................................................................................ 27 Data Collection and Analysis......................................................................................... 28 Summary.........................................................................................................................29 IV. Data Analysis.................................................................................................................. 31 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 32 Snapshot of Children...................................................................................................... 32 Andrew...................................................................................................................... 32 Bobby........................................................................................................................ 32 Carlton...................................................................................................................... 33 Dawn......................................................................................................................... 33 Findings.............................................................................................................................. 33 Video Observation...................................................................................................... 33 Coding Behaviors.................................................................................................... 34 Overvi ew of Behaviors.......................................................................................... 35 Categories and Themes .......................................................................................... 36 Child Questionnaire..................................................................................................... 37 Parent Questionnaire.................................................................................................... 39 Therapist Field Notes and Questionnaire................................................................. 41 Triangulation.................................................................................................................. 43 Summary........................................................................................................................ 43 V. Conclusion and Implications............................................................................................ 45 Introduction.................................................................................................................. 45 Conclusions of the Study.............................................................................................. 45 Calmness.................................................................................................................. 46 Enjoyment................................................................................................................ 47 Enrichment.............................................................................................................. 48 Implications of Clinical Practice.................................................................................. 48 Implications for Future Research................................................................................. 49 Limitations...................................................................................................................