A Multi-Component Social Skills Training Program for Pre-Adolescent Girls with Few Friends

ABSTRACT

Fifth- and 6th-grade girls nominated by their teachers as having few friends participated in a manualized group treatment program for six sessions. Each treatment session consisted of three phases: a praise phase, interpersonal problem solving, and an activity phase. Pretest-posttest measurements included direct observations of target behaviors (conversing with others, initiating interaction, approached by another child, and being alone) and the Social Skills Rating System (Gresham & Elliot, 1988). Significant differences were noted between experimental participants and controls on three observational categories. At posttest, the treatment group spent less time alone, more time initiating conversations, and more time interacting with others than the control group. Suggestions are provided for enhancing programs similar to the one evaluated here.

KEYWORDS:

• Girls' friendship groups
• social skills training
• interpersonal problem solving
• praise groups
• pre-adolescent