Doing Tai Chi : adolescent females' perception of their experience in a treatment program

This project studied a unique therapeutic intervention program utilized within the Activity Therapy Department at Peninsula Village treatment facility. Tai Chi is an internal, meditative martial art that stresses regulated breathing and slow graceful movements. Tai Chi utilized as an intervention program was the focus of this study.

The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn how adolescent females perceive the use of Tai Chi in their treatment program. The questions which guided the research project were:

1. What were the participants' perceptions of benefits gained through the Tai Chi program?

2. What were the participants' feelings toward the Tai Chi program?

The researcher interviewed a sample of six adolescent females in treatment at Peninsula Village and asked them to reflect on the Tai Chi program. Interview questions were used as a guide, but the participants were allowed to focus on activities that were significant to them.

Data reduction was accomplished by progressively collapsing the interview data into a smaller number of thematic dimensions. Inductive analysis of the interview transcripts produced five central themes that described how participants experience the use of Tai Chi in their treatment program:

1. Must have the right attitude

2. Participants feel uncomfortable

3. Spiritual aspect is involved

4. Participants use Tai Chi to alter their mood

5. Participants feel child-like

Results of the research project were discussed in terms of their relevance to the previous research on the effect of martial art programs on emotionally disturbed adolescents. Results were also discussed in suggestions for further research and practice.