Use of Indigenous Stone Play in Child Psychological Assessment

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to investigate an indigenous stone play called Masekitlana, as a projection technique in child psychological assessment. A qualitative research approach, guided by an interpretivist epistemology, was applied. An intrinsic case study design was employed with a purposively selected female Sesotho child that is 7 years of age as participant. Data collection methods consisted of interviews, Masekitlana play sessions, a reflective journal and observations. Findings suggest that the participant in her play projected several issues important to her psychosocial wellbeing: food and nutrition, conflict among community adults and peers, effects of poor infrastructure, belief system and resilience. The interview with the participant's mother validated the substantive findings from stone play thematic analysis. Masekitlana appears a useful technique in child psychological assessment in an indigenous setting.

Keywords:

• Masekitlana (stone play)
• psychological assessment
• projection medium
• indigenous psychology
• resilience