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…

We evaluated the effectiveness of Boston vs. Bullies, a short-term, free, bullying prevention program that uses celebrity athletes to present content. Fifth-grade students in 10 schools were randomized to either complete the Boston vs. Bullies intervention (n = 388), or to a wait-list control group (n = 266). Pre- and post-surveys assessed…

I Can Succeed-Elementary School (ICS-ES) is the first social-emotional learning (SEL) program based on interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A). We hypothesized that fourth graders participating in ICS-ES over two school years would show improvements in interpersonal/social, emotional, and academic functioning. 419 fourth-grade students…

Vocational high school graduates are expected to readily enter the work field, nevertheless, the number of unemployment from vocational high school graduates is still big. Optimizing a career guidance service requires complete evaluation feedback. In detail, this research aims to: identifying a construct instrument applicable to evaluate a career…

Present study has been conducted with the purpose of impact of university skills training on students psycho-social and cognitive skills of males' students in preparatory year deanship in university of Dammam in 2014/2015. The present study is quasi-experimental pre-post-test design was used with control group. The study sample was 150 subjects…

The linked judgments approach is offered as a potential solution to problems of statistical conclusion validity when judges' ratings are employed in pretest-posttest designs. (Author/GK)

Investigated determinants and predictive utility of client's perception of therapuetic relationship (CPTR) in context of behavior therapy research. CPTR was an effective predictor of dropping out when measured early in therapy, of immediate posttherapy client gains when measured in mid- to late therapy, but not of long-term maintenance.…

Children (N=101) from fourth, fifth, and sixth grade were assigned to a social skills training program or control condition. Subpopulations of subjects were identified. Results indicated underachievers improved social relationships, disruptive children increased academic skills, and exceptional children increased significantly in both areas.…

A self-administered assertiveness training program trained refusal of unreasonable requests from strangers and close relationships. Comparison with a placebo program indicated the assertiveness program produced superior effectiveness of assertion, content of assertion, verbalization of assertion-related obligations, persistent assertive…

Twenty-four underassertive adults were randomly assigned to two treatment orders that included covert modeling and behavior rehearsal. No measurable difference in treatments was found, but participants preferred and had greater expectations of behavior rehearsal. Skill generalization to untrained situations occurred on 8 of 11 behavioral measures.…

This study evaluates the efficacy of Keepin' It Safe, a theory-based, gender-specific, CD-ROM-mediated HIV prevention program for urban, early adolescent girls. Intervention effects were examined in a randomized, pretest-posttest wait-list control-group design. Changes in HIV/AIDS knowledge, protective attitudes, and skills for reducing HIV…

Study attempted to increase the positive self-esteem of preservice teachers through a brief assertion training course. Students received either three, six, or nine hours of training, and controls received no training. Pretesting and posttesting found significant increases in self-acceptance and self-concept after assertion training. (SM)

This study characterized individual advocacy performance differences of 3 individuals with developmental disabilities and 21 parents before and after participating in training programs called Partners in Policymaking. A three group taxonomy of advocate development (beginner, involved, and activist) is suggested. (DB)

Looked at co-op and non co-op students in a semestered school to examine the effect of a compressed program on development of students' personal, career and life skills. Findings suggest that co-op students develop a feeling of self-worth and learn skills and attitudes that "will lead to satisfaction and productivity in the world of…

Describes a one-day workshop, the Lifespan Planning Program, designed to help adults in transition look at themselves and at their social and occupational relationships. Discusses program's steps to help adults develop ways of assessing and utilizing their resources, set and achieve goals, and take active charge of their lives. (Author/RC)