The development and evaluation of a multisystem social skills group training program for aggressive children

This research program assessed the effectiveness of a broad-based skills training program that targeted children's aggressive behaviors within the family, school, and peer systems. Children in Grades 1 to 6, referred by teachers, participated in 12 to 15 weeks of social skills training. Nine basic skills were targeted: listening, knowing your feelings, dealing with anger, using self control, joining in a group, following instructions, responding to teasing, keeping out of fights, and problem solving. For this evaluation, 74 aggressive children (63 boys and 11 girls) were randomly assigned to a social skills training group (SST) or a waiting list control group (WLC). Teachers rated children in the SST group as having fewer externalizing behavior problems following the program than children in the WLC group. There were no significant group differences in parent or peer ratings. Nine months following treatment, there was marginal maintenance of treatment gains. These results are discussed in light of recommendations for treatment and evaluation research. The present research highlights the importance of a broad-based intervention that addresses aggressive children's behavior problems in the various contexts of a child's life.