Doctor Philosophiae - Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

iv
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of karate as functional
aid on the self-esteem of adolescents. Altogether 20 adolescents participated
voluntarily in a karate programme while only 18 of them attended the full time
span of the programme.
In this study both quantitative and qualitative research approaches were used in
a combination based on the dominant-less-dominant model. The quantitative
research approach was used predominantly with the qualitative method as
supplementary tool. The one-group pre-test post-test design was used for
quantitative research. Before the adolescents joined the programme their selfesteem
was measured by means of Terblanche’s self-esteem survey schedule
and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. After nine months of participation in
karate the measuring scales were repeated and purposeful random samples
taken. A qualitative explorative and descriptive research design was also used
in the study. Interviews were used to determine the impact of the karate
programme on the self-esteem of the adolescent as from the view point of the
parents/guardian and the karate instructor. The quantitative data were
analysed by means of descriptive and inferential statistics. The analysis of the
qualitative data was executed in line with the steps of qualitative data analysis
by Tesch (in Creswell 1994). To assess the reliability of the qualitative
generated data, Guba’s model (in Krefting 1991) was applied.
Recommendations were provided on the impact of karate as functional aid as
well as guidelines for the use thereof in the enhancement of the adolescent’s
self-esteem.
The research findings with regard to these adolescents indicated that karate
had a positive influence on the adolescents’ self-esteem.