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…

Although behavioral risk factors such as substance use have been hypothesized to increase women's vulnerability to sexual victimization, prospective studies provide mixed empirical support. In the current prospective study, the authors considered substance use, sexual activity, and sexual assertiveness as predictors of sexual victimization from…

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…

Evaluated social competence of 22 male borderline hypertensives in relation to cardiovascular responsivity to Behavioral Role-Play Test of assertiveness and in comparison with normotensives. Identified two distinct groups of hypertensives based on pulse pressure changes (high/low) in response to social challenge. Both groups showed deficits in…

Examined therapist and client perceptions of transcripts of psychotherapy--one using facilitative conditions as treatment and one using them as intermediate variables leading to assertive training. For therapists, assertive training was estimated as more effective. The behavioral therapist was seen as more expert. For clients, no significant…

Independent expectancies were that alcohol enhances social and physical pleasure, enhances sexual performance and experience, increases power and aggression, increases social assertiveness, and reduces tension. More global factors were related to light consumption. Increased expectation of sexual and aggressive behavior was found in heavier…

Assessed the performance of hypertensive patients in increasingly demanding interpersonal interactions. Twelve extended role-played scenes were employed. Results indicated that the hypertensive patients responded less assertively than the nonpatient comparison group. However, the performance of the normotensive patient group was similar to that of…

Assessed male alcoholics and nonalcoholics on self-report and behavioral tests of assertive behavior and discomfort. Alcoholics reported more assertive discomfort. Both groups were less assertive in negative situations and more assertive with familiar males than females. Findings suggest assertive training with alcoholics should focus on reducing…

Compared communication training, interaction insight training, and no treatment for changes in marital verbal interaction and spouses' ratings of each other on the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory. Communication training produced increases in assertive requests. Both treatments reduced disagreement. Communication training produced a decrease…

In this study the level of depression and the rate of assertive behavior were significantly correlated in a negative direction. The depression level did not reliably predict assertive behavior. (Author/BEF)

Evaluated the effects of overt rehearsal and homework practice on covert modeling treatment of social skills. Nonassertive clients (N=79) received a combination of overt rehearsal and homework practice. Clients who engaged in homework practice and/or overt rehearsal of assertive behavior within the treatment sessions made consistently greater…

Offers evidence that demand characteristics referring to changes in clients' self-concepts are the common factors in psychotherapies. Unassertive subjects (N=87) were assigned to four types of imaginary role playing. Only the demand characteristics condition increased significantly in assertiveness and self-esteem and decreased significantly in…

Studied whether men (N=19) who had committed very severe assaults and who score high on the Overcontrolled Hostility (O-H) scale had assertion deficits that could be measured behaviorally. Results showed the high O-H group was significantly less assertive than control groups in role playing tasks and on questionnaire items. (WAS)

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…

Tested parameters of social stress model in two urban high school samples (N=124) of Black, White, and Hispanic young adolescents. Pre- and posttests measured influence of stress, social networks, social competencies, and community resources on levels of students' substance use. Model parameters indicated that pathway from family characteristics…