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Social Skills Training, Prosocial Behavior, and Aggressiveness in Adult Incarcerated Offenders

Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research (AIAR), Keizersgracht 818, 1017 EE Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Nicole Märker

Child Protection Services, PO Box 241, 7600 AE Almelo, The Netherlands

Laura De Fuentes-Merillas

Amsterdam Institute for Addiction Research (AIAR), Keizersgracht 818, 1017 EE Amsterdam, The Netherlands

This study reports on the short-term effects of a social skills training program for adult inmates. The method is based on Goldstein’s structured learning therapy, which emphasizes teaching social skills in a step-by-step manner. The participants were 102 male offenders ages 19 to 60 who were incarcerated at two correctional facilities in the Netherlands. Using a quasi-experimental design, participants were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. The effects were evaluated using self-report measures and staff observations 2 weeks after training. The experimental group showed significant improvement from pretest to posttest in social knowledge and social interaction. Participation in the training resulted in decreased social anxiety and increased positive feelings in everyday social situations but did not change direct or indirect aggressive behavior. Individual characteristics did not predict a better training outcome.

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International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, Vol. 45, No. 2, 244-251 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/0306624X01452009


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This Article Abstract Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Schippers, G. M. Articles by De Fuentes-Merillas, L. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Schippers, G. M. Articles by De Fuentes-Merillas, L. Social Bookmarking                   What's this?