There is ample evidence that youth who have supportive relationships with others experience more positive outcomes (Kesselring et al., 2016 ). Positive Youth Development (PYD) emphasizes the promotion of better outcomes for youth by building on their strengths and providing supports and opportunities to foster the achievement of goals and…

As personality traits can influence important social outcomes, the current research investigated whether the Big-Five had predictive influences on communication competences of active-empathic listening (AEL) and assertiveness. A sample of 245 adults of various ages completed the self-report scales. Both Agreeableness and Openness uniquely…

The purpose of this study was to identify the desired emotional intelligent traits successful educational leaders possess, how they regulate their emotions, and the strategies they use when interacting with emotionally charged adults. The results of this two-group study (practicing and aspiring school administrators) revealed higher emotional…

Sexual revictimization is frequent among victims of child sexual abuse. Several variables, such as sexual experience, substance abuse, and sexual assertiveness, have been proposed to explain the link between child sexual abuse and adolescent and adult sexual victimization, although they have typically been tested separately. The main objective of…

Robin Lakoff proposed that women are more likely than men to use tentative speech forms (e.g., hedges, qualifiers/disclaimers, tag questions, intensifiers). Based on conflicting results from research testing Lakoff's claims, a meta-analysis of studies testing gender differences in tentative language was conducted. The sample included 29 studies…

Purpose: In this study, the authors examined how variability in classroom social communication performance differed between children with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and pair-matched, typically developing peers. Method: Twelve pairs of children were observed in their classrooms, 40 min per day (20 min per child) for 4 days over a…

This study explores the perceptions of support workers working with adults with learning/intellectual disabilities, training and support needs. Data was collected by focus group (n = 3) and semi-structured interviews (n = 5). Participants saw their key role as maximising quality of life, identified "Trial and error" as the main mode of skill…

Examined the appropriateness of assertive behavior in a study of 174 adults who read descriptions of assertive behavior with varied situational contexts. Results suggested assertiveness by women is viewed as slightly more appropriate. Both males and females expected higher appropriateness ratings from their own sex. (JAC)

Assessed the effect of assertiveness training of one partner in a couple (N=26) on both partners' perceptions of their relationship. Results showed both assertion trainees and their nonparticipating partners perceived significantly higher levels of trust and intimacy compared to the control group. (JAC)

Randomly assigned 46 unassertive adults to assertion training (AT) or waiting-list control conditions. AT subjects showed significantly greater improvement from pre- to posttreatment on assertiveness measures. AT subjects (n=27) were then randomly assigned to one of three booster conditions. Found minimal difference among booster conditions at…

Physically disabled adults (n=34) participated in assertiveness training (AT) program, being randomly assigned to AT or waiting-list condition. AT subjects showed significant improvements on self-reported assertiveness and role-play performance from pre- to posttest, whereas controls showed no changes. Overall results support use of AT in…

Twenty-eight mentally retarded adults received behavioral training in assertiveness. Analysis of videotaped role play responses indicated significant improvement in polite refusal of unreasonable requests as well as evidence of generalization and maintenance of assertive refusal skills. (Author/CL)

Investigated historical trends in the assertion training literature by content analyzing documents published between 1942 and 1977. Revealed that although the assertion training literature has shown a very rapid acceleration of growth, empirical documentation of the effects of important parameters of training and treatment is lacking. (Author)

Investigates the effects of child controllability on adult assertiveness, as moderated by adult control perceptions. Four boys (aged seven to nine), trained to be responsive or unresponsive, interacted in adult-child dyads on a toy construction task with 32 women. (Author/SS)

Participants in assertiveness training groups who rated their degree of interest in improving their assertive skills in 26 areas indicated that being assertive when confronted with another's aggression was the highest priority, whereas saying no in various situations assumed a much lower priority. (Author)