Many professional staff training programs are designed to improve the interpersonal competence of the participants. This article presents a step-by-step description of a role-play test designed to evaluate both the effectiveness of such programs and the improvement in the skills of participants. (Author)

Using his psychobiography of Frederick Douglass as an example, the author describes how such material may be used to teach psychoanalytic developmental theory to parents who are enrolled in social welfare programs. (Author)

Describes a pilot program that provides basic communication skills and assertiveness training in a supportive group environment and addressed some of the problems of battered women. The women who participated in the program reported that they had been helped. (RC)

Two training programs in rural Iowa demonstrated community helpers can be trained to function effectively in rural mental health service delivery. Comparable training programs sponsored by the center are currently in progress. Training these natural helpers in interpersonal skills is an important service of community mental health centers. (Author)

Outlines a three-stage training program that focuses on teaching a limited set of skills to children for use in conflict resolution. Stages include readiness activities, skill training, and structured generalization. Results indicate peers and teachers have observed improvement in children who participated in the program. (Author/JAC)