Verstandelik erg gestremde kinders en gesinsfunksionering : 'n opvoedkundig-sielkundige perspektief

M.Ed.It was the aim of this study to ascertain whether there are differences in the functioning of the family with a severely mentally retarded child in comparison with a family with a "normal" child. The study was approached within a system theoretical framework and an educational psychological perspective. The study was presented as follows : Chapter 1 :Conceptualization, formulation of the problem and objectives. Chapter 2 :A literature study regarding the severely mentally retarded child. Chapter 3 :The literature survey regarding the general systems theory, the family as system, the McMaster's Model of Family Functioning and the impact of the mentally retarded on the home situation as a system. Chapter 4 :The empirical research. Chapter 5 :The results of the investigation. Chapter 6 :Summary, conclusions and recommendations. FINDINGS: No significant differences were found in the functioning of families with severely mentally retarded children and families with "normal" children regarding problem solving, communication, roles, affective responsiveness, affective involvement, behaviour control and general functioning