This study examined high-aggressive and low-aggressive boys' ratings of the effectiveness of aggressive and assertive strategies for solving social problems involving hypothetical peers and actual peers. Subjects were 66 third-grade boys (11 groups of 6 boys each for a total of 22 high-aggressive, 22 low-aggressive, and 22 average aggressive boys)…

This guidebook was prepared for immigrant women in Canada who want to make changes in their working lives but who lack the knowledge, information, or self-confidence to carry out such changes. It is suggested that the book be used in group settings with immigrant women sharing the same concerns. Nine units cover the topics of getting to know one…

Explains factors that influence novice teachers' discipline problems to help students, novice teachers, and teacher educators deal with the problems. The article describes assertiveness as a process for dealing with and preventing such problems and discusses reasons why it can be useful and effective. (SM)

This manual is intended to assist individuals with disabilities or their families to protect their rights and solve their problems through developing appropriate advocacy skills. Chapter 1 defines advocacy, discusses different types of advocacy, and examines attitudes towards advocacy that may help or hinder its practice. Chapter 2 describes basic…

This student activity book includes worksheets that secondary students with and without disabilities can use to complete each activity in the "Steps to Self-Determination" curriculum. The program is meant to assist students in learning more about themselves and developing the skills they need to achieve their goals, getting support from family and…

The "Self-Determination Knowledge Scale" (SDKS) Form A and Form B are designed as a pretest and posttest for the "Steps to Self-Determination" curriculum. The program is meant to assist students, with and without disabilities, to learn more about themselves and develop skills to achieve their goals, get support from family and friends, and learn…

Secondary prevention programs for aggressive children should be based on research about processes which mediate children's expression of aggressive behavior. The relative importance of perceived competence, self-esteem, and social problem solving processes was investigated in 20 aggressive and 18 non-aggressive fourth and fifth grade boys. Teacher…

Reports on a study of the relationships between assertiveness and cooperativeness dimensions of conflict styles among 202 graduate business students. Finds that preferences for assertiveness are reflected in both strategic and tactical use of behaviors. Also finds cooperativeness is associated with last-choice behaviors. (CFR)

A follow-up study examined two programs intended to prevent child sexual abuse: (1) Protective Behaviors (Australia), which develops assertiveness skills to empower children; and (2) Keeping Ourselves Safe (New Zealand), which uses "What if..." problem-solving exercises. Revealed the importance of providing a school-based program that is…

This study evaluated a social skills training program with 18 deaf children (ages 9 to 13) in mainstream settings in three elementary schools in the Canary Islands. It found the intervention improved students' social problem solving skills and their assertive skills. However, no significant differences in social or academic integration as judged…

This study examined the relation of social situation variables and children's gender to children's social problem solving ability in potentially unsafe situations. A total of 62 preschoolers (mean age 4.4 years) were shown a series of four vignettes. In two vignettes, an adult or a child asked a second child to cross a street. In two other…

This paper describes some problems encountered in therapy groups of battered women and reviews several studies of these groups reported in recent literature. The five basic needs of battered women and a list of specific strategies developed to meet these needs are presented in an initial section. Three common goals of the group counseling strategy…

Presents a framework for teaching upper elementary students about assertiveness: teaching them differences between passive, aggressive, and assertive behavior; encouraging role playing; discussing when assertive behavior is appropriate; constantly reinforcing the lessons; and teaching alternatives. Tips for assertive communication are provided.…

Two community-based, family-focused programs were developed to intervene with risk and resiliency factors (self-esteem, assertiveness, and family and peer relations) hypothesized to impact on drug abuse. Both programs served youth and their parents or guardians. Substance Use Prevention and Education Resource Through Arts and Recreation (SUPER…

Teacher strategies to prevent or deal with conflict with parents or students include practicing assertive communication, validating feelings of others, recognizing barriers to effective communication, developing trust in relationships, and practicing collaborative problem-solving strategies. If educators have the tools to manage conflict, they can…