Social skills intervention in the treatment of isolated or withdrawn children.

Abstract

Intervention techniques designed to treat social skills deficits in children whose peer relationship difficulties result in isolation or withdrawal are reviewed. Although some of these techniques appear to hold promise, the conclusions are limited owing to methodologica l problems, such as small numbers of subjects, different assessment procedures across studies, and lack of extended follow-up. Major conceptual difficulties also arise from different criteria used in subject selection and assessment. Further, there is a lack of basic research designed to discover critical components and processes that constitute social skills, particularly as they relate to age and sex of the child. Finally, the evidence for longterm consequences of shyness is questioned, and a summary and suggestions for future research are provided. Social processes have long been a topic of central importance in clinical research and practice. Recently, an increasing emphasis has been placed on examining interpersonal skills in relation to social adjustment. Although initial investigations with child populations have dealt with familial (parentchild) interactions and their importance for adequate socialization, a more recent trend has been to examine peer relationships in this light. A major impetus in the proliferation of this peer-based research has been the recognition of the role of minimal social interaction in behavior disorders. Although the most serious aspect of social withdrawal has been said to predispose one to childhood schizophrenia or autism (Roff, Sells, & Golden, 1972), other less extreme but equally damaging aspects of the failure to develop adequate social relations have been noted. Poor academic achievement (Buswell, 1953), inadequate behavioral development (Whitman, Mercuric, & Caponozio, 1970), social avoidance as a means of anxiety reduction through solitary play and mistreatment by peers (O'Connor, 1972) have all been implicated as outcomes of social unresponsiveness. In addition, Cowen, Pederson, Babi