Preventative adolescent psychiatry? Practical problems in running social skills groups for the younger adolescent

Abstract

In order to develop autonomy an adolescent needs a satisfactory peer group experience. Poor peer relationships in children and adolescents are an important factor in the development of psychological disorder in adults. Family therapy and individual psychotherapy by themselves may not attend specifically to the issue of helping a child improve his peer relationships.The first part of this article deals with theoretical considerations including the concept and development of social skills. The second part describes how we set up and run our social skills groups in both a Child Guidance Clinic and a school for the maladjusted. Issues such as selection of children, creating group cohesion, and techniques for intervention (including social learning games, modelling, role plays and cognitive strategies) are discussed. The third part portrays an attempt to evaluate outcome. Throughout we share practical difficulties we have encountered.