Intrapersonal and Interpersonal communication therapy

Maria (not her real name), a 12-year-old girl, is separated from her family. When her father died, her mother abandoned her along with his brother. She was under her aunt’s care in Cagayan de Oro city.

It was her aunt’s husband who raped her, not once, but twice. When she was nine years old, the first attempt happened and she was 10 when it happened the second time around. She is now living in the Home Care for Girls after her school principal helped her in her situation.

Anton Enriquez, Rosheil Galla, Ace Neri and Steffi Zapanta did a research focused on the sexually abused female children under the shelter of Home Care for Girls located in Cagayan de Oro City by the City Social Welfare and Development Department in 2011.

“Ang challenge lang pag-abot sa sexually abused children kay kailangan lang nimo i-keep ang ilang confidentiality and then lisod mag-deal sa ila kay emotionally distorted man sila.” Galla, said.

In Philippine National Statistics Authority census, after abandoned/neglected children, sexually abused children are the second most common cases handled by DSWD, ( 29.6 % in 2009 and 27.3 % in 2010) . And despite the Anti-Rape Law of 1997 (Republic Act (RA) No. 8353), the most common sexual abuse is rape, followed by incest and acts of lasciviousness. Rape victims are predominantly female ( 97.6 % in 2009 and 90.5 % in 2010).

The effects of the sexual act affect children in different ways. Being traumatized is one of the challenges encountered by the victims. After being referred to the said shelter, the researchers were able to use two forms of communication as a tool for evaluating their selves from their tragic experiences and human relationships with others.

In data gathering, the researchers used two methodologies to differentiate its contrast. These were the visual methodology which comprises the drawings of the children and the in-depth interviews individually.

Self-Concept: Defining Oneself

Self-concept is defined by the researchers as their respondents in Home Care for Girls describe themselves according to their own sets of meanings, language and thoughts.

Five out of twenty nine girls were chosen as respondents in the study. They were individually given instructions on what they are going to draw accordingly.

In using visual methodology, the respondents were asked to draw (1) image of their families, (2) a drawing of their selves when still not in Home Care for Girls, (3) their Home Care for Girls community and (4) a drawing of their selves inside the shelter’s community.

Moreover, the children were asked to label their illustrations based on their drawings and are requested to explain it afterwards. The interpretations of the symbols in the drawing and their descriptions were established as children’s self-concept. For kids, sketching is one way to entertain them from boredom. It is also easier for the children’s self-expression than of the pressure of letting them answer with time limit.

Ina, one of the respondents of the study said, “Mas gusto gyud ko sa akong batasan sauna jud kaysa karon” while explaining to the researchers.

Intrapersonal Communication Activities

Intrapersonal Communication is defined as an act of self-discovery. It is internally done by an individual on itself. However, the children were having difficulty in identifying activities as such. By thorough in-depth interviews, the researchers have indicated the specific activities accordingly.

In physical activities, the children related this activity from household chores. These are cleaning the garden, mopping the floor, washing the dishes and more. The children’s house parents gave them individual tasks in the shelter.

In Reflective Intrapersonal Communication Activities, one out of the five children was able to identify an activity suited to the operational definition. She said includes the following: Writing in diaries, reflections and self-talk. One of the children said that she tends to self-talk because she felt angry and sometimes, she wonders about what happened to her. Other children cited other activities through praying.

Lastly, Entertainment and Sense-making Activities, through watching TV and reading the children were able to possess intrapersonal communication within them. The elements help them in making meanings and to be able to understand. When understanding occurs, learning is possible.

Interpersonal Communication Activities

Interpersonal communication is the exchange of conversation from one another. The children in the shelter are mostly living for many months already. The relationship they have formed is the product of the interpersonal communication activities they enjoyed together.

The girls were encouraged to talk to each other to build relationship such as friendship. The interactions of the girls are important to be able to distort themselves from their terrible memories.

In Shelter Provided Activities, they were given activities that help them accept and realize their conditions. They are encouraged to interact and be taught with life lessons. Under this category is the sub-categories of which activities like Presentation and Reflective Interpersonal communication is applied.

In Presentation Activities, when visitors come over, the girls are required to present special dance and song number for them. They are divided into groups and they are asked to practice together regularly.

On the other hand, Reflective Interpersonal Communication Activities, whenever the girls encounter differences about each other, they simply approach their house parents to call for a meeting to discuss matters. Also, there were sessions about life lessons and reflection teachings.

Therefore, the researchers highly recommend that there should be annual programs in support to the children who are sexually abused. They are in need of socially acquired activities that would enhance their selves from their experiences and to be emotionally stabled again.

Like Maria, one of the victims, have undergone cruel circumstances that killed her childhood phase into a nightmare. Her future is covered with sadness and anxiety. The researchers added that even from their simple hug, they could feel the child wanted to be loved.