Poor Peer Interactions and Social Isolation: A Case Report of Successful in Vivo Social Skills Training on a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Unit

Author(s)

Vincent B. Van Hasselt, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Douglas L. Griest, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Alan E. Kazdin, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Karen Esveldt-Dawson, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
Alan S. Unis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-1984

Publication Title

Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry

Volume

15

Issue/Number

3

First Page

271

ISSN

0005-7916

Last Page

276

Abstract/Excerpt

The effects of social skills training comprising didactic instructions, coaching, modeling, feedback and reinforcement were examined in a child diagnosed Conduct Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder in whom social isolation and poor peer interactions were prominent features. Treatment was implemented in the specific settings in which deficient social performance was noted using a multiple baseline design. Application of social skills training led to increased rates of appropriate interactions with peers and decreased rates of playing alone. In addition, pre-and post treatment scores on the Child Behavior Checklist and School Behavior Checklist showed significantly decreased dysfunctional behaviors after training. Follow-up contact 1 and 12 months following discharge indicated that the child continued to socialize more with peers and to show improved adjustment.

DOI

10.1016/0005-7916(84)90037-5

NSUWorks Citation

Van Hasselt, V. B., Griest, D. L., Kazdin, A. E., Esveldt-Dawson, K., Unis, A. S. (1984). Poor Peer Interactions and Social Isolation: A Case Report of Successful in Vivo Social Skills Training on a Child Psychiatric Inpatient Unit. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry, 15(3), 271-276.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/390