Social Skills Interventions

Abstract

The term "social skills" encompasses an array of learned behaviors that share the common goal of maintaining or increasing reinforcement within a social context. Deficits in social skills can occur at any developmental period and are not likely to improve spontaneously because impaired social skills impede interactions with other people. In turn, unsatisfying or disruptive interactions exacerbate social skill deficits by preventing the refinement of existing skills and limiting the acquisition of new ones (Hansen, Giacoletti, & Nangle, 1995; Kelly, 1982). Given the importance of functioning effectively within a social context, the amelioration of social skills deficits is sometimes an independent treatment goal. More often, the improvement of social skills is one component of the treatment plan for a variety of psychological disorders (see Campbell, Hansen, & Nangle, this volume). Social skills training (SST) is a therapeutic intervention based on the application of behavioral and social learning theory and techniques. Interventions may target an assortment of skills and address a range of deficits. There is variation in both the clinical populations served and the problem constellations that respond to effective SST. Because of the broad scope of behaviors that fall into the category of social skills and the equally diverse range of populations and presenting problems associated with skills deficits, SST is applicable in virtually every clinical setting, either as a primary intervention or as part of a treatment package. In this chapter, we provide a brief overview of the general components of most social skills interventions, consider treatment issues, including generalization and social validity, and then discuss the application of SST to commonly targeted skill deficits in the areas of communication, assertiveness, relationship building, and social problem solving. Finally, we look at specific issues for selected developmental and clinical populations: children and adolescents in general, children with emotional and behavioral disorders, youth experiencing social isolation/rejection, and clients with developmental disabilities, social anxiety, and severe mental illness. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2015 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)