LE3 .A278 1963

1963

Ashby, A.C.

Acadia University

Master of Social Work

Masters

Social Work

Maritime School of Social Work

This thesis is a part of the group research project on a group of wards by the second year students of the Maritime School of Social Work. It is based on a study of the 100 wards in the care of the Children's A.id Society of Colchester County as of December 31, 1962. A schedule was used by the group to collect the basic data from case records at the office of the Children's Aid Society of Colchester County located in Truro, Nova Scotia. Secondary data included bibliographical material and data from the Cobequid Mental Health Centre. The records of the 100 wards were studied for indications of psychiatric disorders. Significant aspects of the life experiences of these wards were examined for factors which contributed to their psychiatric illness. Certain factors were compared from both the disturbed and the non-disturbed wards todetermine as far as possible why some were psychiatrically ill. This study found that 56 of the 100 wards in the Society's care were psychiatrically ill to varying degrees. When compared with the non-disturbed group, it was found that the disturbed wards tended to have come into care at a more advanced age, and to have experienced more foster home placements than the non-disturbed group as a whole. Finally, it was found that the longer a ward was in care, the more likelihood of his becoming psychiatrically ill. The study found that the present foster home program has not met the emotional needs of many of the wards in care. Suggestions were made about more effective ways of meeting the needs of the wards.

The author retains copyright in this thesis. Any substantial copying or any other actions that exceed fair dealing or other exceptions in the Copyright Act require the permission of the author.

https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3944