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Examining effects of targeted group social skills intervention in schools with and without school wide systems of positive behavior support
This study was designed to examine (a) the effects of a small group targeted intervention to promote generalized social skill use among students at-risk due to high rates of problem behavior and (b) the impact school wide systems of Positive Behavior support (PBS) has on promoting maintenance and generalization compared to traditional school structures. A multi-component social skills training package was implemented in a PBS and non-PBS school. A total of nineteen students participated in 16 weeks of social skills instruction with reinforcement and self-management strategies. Student outcomes from direct observation in the training setting, classroom, and on the playground were compared across schools. In addition, questionnaires were completed by the social skills instructors, teaching staff, classroom teachers of student participants, target students and their parents. Findings resulted in two major conclusions. First, results provide evidence that social skills training combined with behavioral strategies can be an efficient and effective intervention for addressing problem behaviors in schools Overall, data from this study indicate acquisition of social skills as a result of direct instruction. Second, student gains in acquisition and generalization of social skills was greater in the PBS school than in the non-PBS school. Students in school wide systems of support who participated in the social skills training may receive greater benefits than students in the schools without school wide systems of PBS. Differences were also noted in the perceptions of key stakeholders in the two schools. The stakeholders in the PBS school reported high interest in sustaining and maintaining the social skills training as opposed to the staff in the non-PBS school, who did not express interest in continuing the group. Small group targeted interventions may be beneficial for schools to include as one part of a continuum of support for students who do not respond to universal social skills instruction as part of a school wide system of PBS. Implications for application and future research are also discussed.
- "This study was designed to examine (a) the effects of a small group targeted intervention to promote generalized social skill use among students at-risk due to high rates of problem behavior and (b) the impact school wide systems of Positive Behavior support (PBS) has on promoting maintenance and generalization compared to traditional school structures. A multi-component social skills training package was implemented in a PBS and non-PBS school. A total of nineteen students participated in 16 weeks of social skills instruction with reinforcement and self-management strategies. Student outcomes from direct observation in the training setting, classroom, and on the playground were compared across schools. In addition, questionnaires were completed by the social skills instructors, teaching staff, classroom teachers of student participants, target students and their parents. Findings resulted in two major conclusions. First, results provide evidence that social skills training combined with behavioral strategies can be an efficient and effective intervention for addressing problem behaviors in schools Overall, data from this study indicate acquisition of social skills as a result of direct instruction. Second, student gains in acquisition and generalization of social skills was greater in the PBS school than in the non-PBS school. Students in school wide systems of support who participated in the social skills training may receive greater benefits than students in the schools without school wide systems of PBS. Differences were also noted in the perceptions of key stakeholders in the two schools. The stakeholders in the PBS school reported high interest in sustaining and maintaining the social skills training as opposed to the staff in the non-PBS school, who did not express interest in continuing the group. Small group targeted interventions may be beneficial for schools to include as one part of a continuum of support for students who do not respond to universal social skills instruction as part of a school wide system of PBS. Implications for application and future research are also discussed."@en
- "Examining effects of targeted group social skills intervention in schools with and without school wide systems of positive behavior support"@en