Social skills in crack users: differences between men and women

Jéssica Limberger,Ilana Andretta,Jaluza Aimèe Schneider

doi:10.1186/s41155-016-0054-4

Jéssica Limberger, Ilana Andretta + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s41155-016-0054-4

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Abstract

Low levels of social skills in drug users are reported in the literature. However, specific characteristics of these users need to be identified and comprehended. Thus, we aim to evaluate and compare the social skills of men and women crack users and to determine the existence or not of differences in these behaviors. A cross-sectional, quantitative, and comparative research was performed. A total of 127 (65 men and 62 women) crack users in treatment for drug use participated in the study. Results demonstrate significantly higher averages of social skills among women than among men in the total score (t = 2.020; p = 0.046), self-assertion in the expression of positive affect (t = 2.755; p = 0.007), and conversation and social confidence (t = 2.101; p = 0.038). In conclusion, there is a unique repertoire of social skills in men and women in this study, showing that among men crack users, there were greater difficulties in the expression of positive feelings and social confidence, while there was more difficulty in expressing unpleasantness and dealing with negative feelings among women. Thus, this study emphasizes the importance of the development of interventions focused on learning and improving social skills for the crack user population, considering the differences between men and women.

Highlights

Social skills (SS) are a set of behaviors issued by a person in its social environment, where it will express its feelings, needs, and rights in an adaptive and assertive manner, decreasing the likelihood of the emergence of future problems arising from this interaction (Caballo, 2003)
In comparing the social skills of men and women crack users, women had significantly higher total scores (t = 2.020; p = 0.046) in self-assertion in the expression of positive affect (t = 2.755; p = 0.007) and in conversation and social confidence (t = 2.101; p = 0.038), when the results of the Social Skills Inventory were compared between men and women
The presence of deficits in social skills of men and women expresses the need for social skills training with this population

Summary

Introduction

Social skills (SS) are a set of behaviors issued by a person in its social environment, where it will express its feelings, needs, and rights in an adaptive and assertive manner, decreasing the likelihood of the emergence of future problems arising from this interaction (Caballo, 2003). Social skills may be assessed in a general context and on the existence of different classes of social behaviors, in order to deal with various demands of everyday interpersonal situations (Del Prette & Del Prette, 2001). Coping and self-assertion with risk indicates the ability to deal with interpersonal situations that require affirmation and defense of rights, entailing the risk of an undesirable reaction. Conversation and social confidence portrays the skill to deal with situations with minimal risk of an unwanted reaction, from daily relationship standards. Self-control of aggressiveness in aversive situations indicates the expression of unpleasantness or anger in a socially competent manner (Del Prette & Del Prette, 2001)

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