This case study was based on original research aimed at finding out the effects of social skills therapy on manifestations of delinquency among Upper Basic Education Children in Calabar, Nigeria. The study adopted a quasi-experimental pretest posttest, nonrandomized design. The intervention, which had 16 sessions, lasted for 8 weeks. This period…

Purpose: Social skills difficulties among children on the autism spectrum can impede social, emotional, and academic development, especially with increasing age and social demands. This pilot study examined the efficacy of a 5-week skill-building program for children on the autism spectrum. Although effective social skills programs are available…

In this study, we investigated perceived social-emotional competence (PSEC) among 373 Australian secondary school students in relation to parent ratings of social-emotional skills, and perceived teacher and parental autonomy support. Using bifactor exploratory structural equation modelling, we examined five dimensions of PSEC (perceived competence…

Background: Difficult social interactions with students are reported to be among the main stressors of beginning teachers, and although social competence has been suggested to represent a vital resource for their transition into practice and early-career adaptation, this assumption has rarely been empirically studied. Aim: We conducted two studies…

As one of the most advanced play forms in childhood, pretend play often demonstrates positive associations with children's development. However, results from research that examines the association between social skills and pretend play are mixed, especially when the complexity of pretend play is taken into account. Moreover, few studies on pretend…

Students with disabilities are often faced with numerous challenges as they progress through their school years. In addition to disability-related challenges, they may encounter additional difficulties such as bullying in school and lack of social acceptance by their peers. It is important that students with disabilities develop competence in…

Despite known risks associated with aberrant social skill development, there has been a relative dearth of literature on typical developmental changes in social skills over time. In this study, we examine systematic changes in social skills from kindergarten (typical age of 5-6 years) to third grade (typical age of 8-9 years), and focus on…

Evidence indicates that after-school programs are beneficial to children in the elementary school years, especially when they target more than just problem behaviors, but also focus on a wide range of positive developmental outcomes such as critical thinking, self-awareness and self-confidence (Catalano et al., 2002). The most effective programs…

Assessed whether low-assertive college students' locus of control orientations would differentially affect their reactions to assertiveness training procedures. Subjects improved more on all self-report and behavioral measures than placebo or no-treatment control subjects. Externals showed significantly greater generalization of treatment effects…

Examines the relationship of birth order to sociability with an unfamiliar peer in a group of 101 children, 33 months of age. Differences were found favoring sociability in children with one or no siblings. Assertiveness followed the same pattern. Family influences which may account for these birth order differences are discussed. (Author/DB)

Examined frequency of verbal attention-seeking responses (VASRs) as an indication of level of social confidence. Veteran drug addicts received communication skills and assertiveness training. Comparison of VASRs indicated communication training was effective in improving social confidence. (RC)

The study examined an approach to train three adolescents with moderate mental handicaps to use the conversational skills of initiating a topic and continuing the conversation by cueing an adult listener to speak. The instructional techniques of modeling, prompting, delay, and social reinforcement were used in intervention. A single subject…

This study compared parent and teacher perceptions of 23 gifted children's (ages 6-12) social skills and the importance of different social skills. Teacher ratings of cooperation were significantly higher than parent ratings, and teachers valued cooperation highly. Parent ratings of assertion were significantly higher than teacher ratings, and…

Results of this study demonstrate that a multiple-problem-focused workshop can be successful in dealing with a wide range of social assertion problems. (MM)

Relationships were examined between measures of shyness and self-esteem for 53 preschool children. Shyness was negatively related to a self-esteem rating and to a measure of the child's expectations of self-efficacy in performing motor tasks. Continued attention to early shyness in empirical, theoretical, and practical work is suggested. (Author)