Social Skills Research Articles

Spirituality support in social work education and practice, when helping clients to strengthen self-identity and to build social skills

ABSTRACT Social work practices in many forms have societal value via exploratory pathways and motivational methods toward self-awareness and personal betterment. Such practices exist among, and are adapted to, varied cultural norms. This research examined the use of spirituality-based approaches, as implemented in Indonesia, to help people who have been affected by drug addictions or by disabilities. By interviewing social workers who engage spirituality to assist clients at rehabilitation centers, we elicited details of such workers’ methods for aiding in their clients’ recovery. Analysis of our verbatim transcripts identified characteristics of the social workers’ self-reports and concomitant overall themes. Findings identified positive effects that were achieved while social workers incorporated spirituality as a part of their methodology with clients. Beneficial behavioral changes were associated with spirituality invoked as a part of the social workers’ process, which encouraged clients to recognize their inner values, to keep a positive attitude toward overcoming difficulties, and to develop useful social skills.

Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Optimizing Counseling Outcomes for Fast Remission of Social Anxiety with Panic Attacks

Aims: The case study evaluates the efficacy of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in optimizing counseling outcomes for social anxiety and panic attacks within an academic setting. Counseling sessions were conducted with a 23-year-old female client over a four-month period at T.S Government College.<br /> Method: The study utilized a single case study design A-B-A. The client presented with symptoms of social anxiety and panic attacks, impacting various aspects of her life including academic performance, interpersonal relationships, social interactions and family dynamics.<br /> Results: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy techniques including Cognitive Restructuring, Social Skills Training, Role Play and Role Reversal, and Systematic Desensitization through Gradual Exposure, were implemented over 8 sessions. Assessment tools including pre-post ratings, behavioral observations and therapy blueprints were utilized to assess the severity of social anxiety.<br /> Conclusion: A significant decrease in the severity of social anxiety and panic attacks based on both subjective self-reporting and objective observations suggesting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as an approach of counseling for individuals with social anxiety with panic attacks in educational setting.<br /> <i>Keywords: </i>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, case study, case report, social anxiety, panic attacks, cognitive restructuring, systematic desensitization, role play, role reversal, social skills training

Primus inter pares effect in high schools.

Primus inter pares effect or better-than-average effect is cognitive bias known as illusory superiority in which individuals overestimate their positive abilities and traits in comparison to others. Overestimation and bias are often accompanied with various dangers on a personal, organizational or even societal level. We investigated the presence of overestimation among high school graduates in Slovenia in areas of teamwork, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, problem solving, and decision making. Although overestimation was present in all areas, results have also shown indications of indecisiveness. Overestimation was highest in the area of interpersonal skills, which is more of a social skill area in comparison with decision making or problem solving. Individuals probably receive more feedback over the course of high school in decision making, problem solving, and teamwork than in interpersonal skills, as those can directly impact grades while interpersonal skills less so.

The Effectiveness of Traditional Game Therapy in Improving Social Skills in Elementary School Students 060952 Medan Labuhan District

Social skills are very important for the development of elementary school children. Traditional play therapy offers an alternative method for education that has the potential to improve social skills through group interactions and real-life experiences. This is different from the conventional approach which often centers on academic aspects. The aim of this study was to evaluate how effective traditional play therapy is in improving the social skills of children in elementary school and compare it with more conventional methods. This is the experimental design used for this study with a control group. Children in elementary school are divided into two groups. The experimental group received traditional play therapy, while the control group carried out routine activities. Data was collected through teacher observations, assessments, and social skills questionnaires before and after six weeks of intervention. The results of the analysis showed that, compared with the control group, the experimental group showed significant improvements in social skills. Communication, cooperation and conflict resolution show improvement. These results indicate that traditional play therapy is effective in improving the social skills of elementary school children. According to this research, traditional play therapy can be included in the school curriculum as a tool to improve social skills in a comprehensive and enjoyable way.

Developing the Short Form of the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES-SF)

Given the critical role of socio-emotional skills in students’ academic success, psychological well-being, and other critical life outcomes, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) developed the Survey on Social and Emotional Skills (SSES) to measure these skills among school-age students. However, the broad conceptual scope of socio-emotional skills necessitated the use of a large number of items (i.e., 120 items) in the original SSES, which poses challenges regarding survey administration and participant fatigue. To address these issues, this study aimed to develop a short form of the SSES (i.e., SSES-SF). The sample included 29,798 15-year-old students across 10 regions. We developed a 45-item version of SSES-SF using the machine learning approach of genetic algorithm, which is 62.5% shorter than the original 120-item SSES. The reliability, construct validity, reproduced information, concurrent validity, and measurement invariance of the SSES-SF were investigated. We found that the SSES-SF demonstrated satisfactory reliability, construct validity, and concurrent validity. Furthermore, the SSES-SF was able to reproduce a substantial amount of information from the original full-form SSES and exhibited measurement invariance across genders, regions, and language groups. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings are discussed.

Student development of social capabilities and life skills: a mixed-methods study from Pakistan

ABSTRACT Holistic development of school-going students has gained momentum. Developing countries need to equip students with skills to thrive in the contemporary world, yet research on this topic in Pakistan is limited. This study, therefore, examines students’ non-cognitive skills (i.e., social capabilities and life skills) using a sequential mixed-methods approach. The sample was selected through multi-stage cluster sampling technique. The quantitative sample comprised students (n=263) from eight schools. The qualitative sample of students (n=16), teachers (n=8), and school leaders (n=4) was purposively selected. The results revealed that students are socially capable and possess basic life skills. However, schools do not explicitly prioritise the development of social capabilities and life skills. As a result, the holistic development of students is generally a neglected aspect in Pakistan. Moreover, educational structures and the school system strongly predict students’ non-cognitive skills. This study has implications for policy, practice, and further research.

Fast Track Intervention Effects and Mechanisms of Action Through Established Adulthood.

Early preventive interventions can improve outcomes in childhood, but the most effective interventions can continue to deliver benefits through the life course. The Fast Track intervention, a randomized controlled trial for children at risk of conduct problems, has lowered psychopathology, substance use problems, and criminality and elevated happiness at age 25. However, research has not studied whether the intervention's effects continue further into established adulthood. In addition, little is known about the mechanisms through which the intervention may affect adult outcomes. We attempted to answer both questions by simultaneously estimating the intervention's direct effect on adult outcomes at age 31 and the intervention's indirect effects on those outcomes via interpersonal, intrapersonal, and academic competencies gained through the intervention. Participants included the Fast Track intervention (n = 445; 72.4% male) and high-risk control samples (n = 446; 66.4% male). Direct and total effects of random assignment to Fast Track on age 31 outcomes were not significant. However, our analyses showed that Fast Track's improvements to interpersonal and intrapersonal skills in childhood served as catalysts for better life outcomes at age 31. Higher interpersonal skills led to fewer externalizing, internalizing, and substance use problems, reduced criminality and sexual partners, in addition toincreased general health and full-time employment. Improved intrapersonal skills led to greater strength. There were no significant indirect pathways via academic skills. Our findings inform understanding of how a childhood preventive intervention can improve adjustment and behaviors into established adulthood.

Pengaruh Pendidikan Jasmani Bagi Anak Sekolah Dasar untuk Pembentukan Karakter di Era Modern

This research aims to examine the influence of physical education for elementary school children on character formation in the modern era. By using the literature review method, which begins with identifying relevant sources. The results of the research show that physical education in the modern era has a very important role in development. holistic children. Physical education does not only focus on physical aspects, but also includes cognitive, effective and psychomotor development. Physical education contributes to the formation of students' character and social skills in the modern era. In this context, the role of teachers as role models is crucial, where they are expected to deliver materials in creative and interactive ways, including utilizing digital platforms such as TikTok to attract students' interest. The research also highlights the challenges faced in implementing physical education, such as the lack of facilities and resources and the need for professional training for teachers to improve the quality of learning. Thus, physical education is expected to contribute not only to students' physical health, but also to the development of social skills and adaptability in an increasingly digitalized world.

PENGENALAN OLAHRAGA PENCAK SILAT DALAM MELESTARIKAN BUDAYA ASLI BANGSA INDONESIA

Pencak silat is an integral part of Indonesia's rich culture which not only includes martial arts, but also the noble values ​​contained therein. Through the introduction of pencak silat sports at SDN Jayasampurna 03, the main aim of this activity is to introduce and preserve the original cultural heritage of the Indonesian nation, as well as forming students' overall character. Implementation methods include direct outreach and training to students, involving demonstrations, pair exercises, material collaboration, as well as discussion and reflection sessions. The results of this activity show that the students of SDN Jayasampurna 03 are able to understand, appreciate and practice the basic movements of pencak silat with high enthusiasm. In addition, they also benefit from developing physical, mental and social skills, as well as a deeper understanding of Indonesian culture. The suggestion for this activity is to continue and expand the pencak silat program into the school curriculum as a permanent and sustainable extracurricular activity. This will ensure that every student has the opportunity to engage in and benefit from this martial art, as well as ensuring that pencak silat education is improved comprehensively at all levels of education to respect the cultural heritage and noble values ​​contained within it.

Pengaruh Komunikasi Interpersonal Dan Motivasi Belajar Terhadap Hasil Belajar Siswa SMP Muhammadiyah Terpadu Kota Bengkulu

This research aims to determine the interpersonal communication skills of teachers and students in the social studies learning process at SMPN 21 Bengkulu City. The research method used was quantitative descriptive research with research subjects involving 36 class VIII students. Data collection techniques use observation, questionnaires and documentation. The research results show that the teacher's interpersonal communication skills with students in the learning process are quite good. This can be proven by the results of data analysis, the average calculation obtained is 66. Thus, it can be said that if a teacher is able to carry out good interpersonal communication, the students' communication skills in learning will also be higher, but on the contrary, if the teacher's interpersonal communication skills are still low, students' communication skills will also tend to be low. The conclusion from this research is that the teacher's interpersonal communication skills with class VIII students in the social studies learning process at SMPN 21 Bengkulu City are in the Good category. Research can be a basis for teachers to develop their insight and knowledge to improve students' communication skills in the learning process so that they are more effective.

ОЙЫН ТЕХНОЛОГИЯСЫНЫҢ ЭЛЕМЕНТТЕРІН ПАЙДАЛАНУ ӘДІСТЕРІ

The article describes the importance of game technology. Discusses the interaction between education and play and how they become effective tools for learning physics. The proposed methods are designed to increase students' interest and make the learning process more effective. Along with education, the student is told that games help develop personal and social skills such as teamwork, leadership, collaborative learning or decision making. And one should not forget the classification of players created by Richard Bartle when using game technology. Because the number of students in one class is usually not small. It is important that it is a fun game for all of them. Let's take a quick look at the games. Hot Potatoes is a game development site. Through this site, we can use tools such as JCloze for creating fill-in-the-blank exercises, JMatch for matching/ordering activities, and Jquiz for creating multiple-choice or short-answer questions. But this site does not consider individual chapters. Generalization is intended for building vectors for students. Scratch is a site where students can create animated videos. This site is not based on specific chapters or even subjects. Games can be created according to everyone's imagination. But due to the limited resources, the games are simple. The article analyzes a computer game for teaching the theory of relativity in physics. During the game, students can understand relative motions and basic principles of relativistic physics. The game explores Newton's laws and inertial motion, but has nothing to do with atomic physics. The article discusses the effectiveness of using games in teaching physics and chemistry in a foreign language. Games help students actively participate in the lesson and develop cognitive, affective, psychomotor skills. The article shows how educational games contribute to the development of cognitive and social skills. Overall, the methods presented in each article demonstrate the many advantages of using games effectively in education. They are aimed at increasing students' activity, deepening their understanding of scientific concepts and improving memory.

A Review of the Effectiveness of Teaching Strategies for Diverse Learners

We see diversity in our classrooms. The learners are diverse in their age, race, socio-economic and geographical background, gender, academic and social skills, and physical state. To deal with all this diversity, a teacher has to be equipped with different pedagogical skills and approaches. The main objective of this review was to point out effective teaching strategies for diverse learners. The researcher used Google Scholar as a key search engine and searched articles and books related to the topic of the study by using different keywords. The researcher set the range for the search of relevant material from 2020 to date. The effective teaching strategies included the usage of technology, integration of projects and extracurricular activities in curricula, adaptation of inclusive education and assessment, development of collaboration enhancement of counseling center in the school, focus on individualized and differentiated learning, and ensuring peer learning.

Reviewing the effect of creative arts therapy on the development of cognitive and social skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder

Creative art therapy has been utilized for many years as a treatment regimen for certain mental disorders. Overall, results of studies on creative art therapy show a positive trend, with general improvements in mental health and reduction of neurological symptoms in the majority of cases. The results regarding the effectiveness of creative art therapies in treating autism spectrum disorder are unclear and varied, due to the range of symptoms involved in autism spectrum disorder, the effect of age on therapy, and the variety of creative art therapies available for use. Of all the creative art therapies chosen to review, music was the most investigated. The studies performed on music therapy showed positive results, however, a large-scale randomized controlled trial refuted the positive benefits, leading to an inconclusive overall result on the effectiveness of music therapy. Research on the benefits of creative art therapies for children with autism spectrum disorder is inconclusive. Studies generally demonstrate a positive effect on many different types of creative art therapies. However, these studies have major limitations in generalizability due to small sample sizes and their descriptive nature. Future research should focus on developing randomized controlled trial protocols that can be used on a larger scale to generate more definitive results on the benefits, or lack thereof, of creative art therapies. Research should also be performed on the effect of adolescence on creative art therapies, and whether targeting it at younger children with autism spectrum disorder would be more or less beneficial than targeting it towards adolescents.

The Roles and Responsibilities of School Social Workers in the African Context: A Scoping Review

The profession of school social work has been acknowledged as being of critical importance on a global scale. However, little is known about the practice of school social work in the African context, specifically the roles and responsibilities of practitioners. This scoping review aimed to synthesize empirical studies conducted in the African continent on the roles and responsibilities of school social workers. Using Arksey and O’Malley’s (2005) five-step framework, the search for articles was completed on six electronic databases: Sabinet African Journals, Scopus, ProQuest Central, CINAHL, SocIndex, Medline, and Education Research Complete. Eight articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that school social workers or social workers servicing schools are responsible for providing psychosocial support to learners experiencing social challenges; facilitating group work sessions focused on socialization and life skills; training and guiding teachers on ways to better support learners, developing and implementing school programs addressing issues such as bullying and teenage pregnancy; and forming partnerships with other professionals and organizations to support learners. This review concludes that there is a dearth of research dedicated to school social work or social work services in African schools. Future research on school social work should focus on unique challenges, best practices, and the impact of social work services in African schools. Governments and educational institutions should prioritize the integration of social work services within school systems. The review highlights the multifaceted roles practitioners play in creating supportive educational environments in African contexts. Keywords: School Social Work, Africa, Roles, Responsibilities, Learners

Efficacy of an Animal-Assisted Therapy Program in the Development of Children With Down Syndrome

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a dog-assisted intervention program in occupational therapy (OT) sessions in the treatment of children with Down syndrome (DS). A randomized clinical trial was conducted with 14 children with DS (9–12 years old) randomly distributed into two groups: control and experimental. Both received 12 OT sessions, one per week. The experimental group also received dog-assisted therapy. To evaluate the effects of the program, the Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (Beery VMI), the Test of Playfulness (ToP), an ethogram of positive and negative social behaviors, and comparisons of vasopressin levels in the urine of children upon awakening and after sessions were used. The results showed that after the conventional intervention, the control group had a significant increase in visual perception and attention scores. The experimental group showed a significantly higher frequency of satisfaction and interactivity behaviors. We found that the presence of the dog maximizes the social skills of children with DS and increases their engagement in positive social interactions; however, conventional OT sessions were more effective with visual-motor performance. No physiological changes were observed in either group after the intervention.

Early parenting styles and children’s social skills in China: a longitudinal exploration of mediating mechanism

ABSTRACT This study examines the development of children's social skills during the crucial transition from kindergarten to grade school. It explores the long-term connection between parenting styles and children's social skills. This study conducted a three-year longitudinal survey involving 121 children and their parents. The results show that early authoritative parenting styles were significant positive associated with children's social skills in second grade, and early authoritarian parenting styles were significant negative associated with children's social skills in second grade. Child-parent relationship closeness and receptive language skills mediate the association between early parenting styles and second-grade children's social skills. We propose that improving the closeness of the child-parent relationship and enhancing children's receptive language skills could effectively enhance children's social skills. This provides theoretical support for intervention programmes aimed at improving children's social skills.

The Effects of Technology Utilization in the Learning Process on Students' Psychological Well-being: The Perspectives of Constructivism Theory

<span lang="EN-AU">This research aims to make a significant contribution to the understanding of constructivism in the context of education through an in-depth exploration of the use of technology in the learning process and its impact on the psychological well-being of students. The study employs a quantitative approach, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) and Partial Least Square (PLS) for analysis. The research participants consist of 100 university students in Malang, Indonesia, selected to complete an online questionnaire. The study results indicate that the integration of technology into the learning process has a positive and significant impact on students' psychological well-being. The application of constructivism theory as a conceptual foundation for understanding the influence of technology in learning demonstrates that students' interactive role in constructing knowledge has a substantial effect. The use of various platforms such as Google Drive, Google Docs, Microsoft Office, Zoom, Google Meet, Canvas, Moodle, Grammarly, and Mendeley creates a learning context that facilitates collaboration, active participation, and the development of students' social skills. In the context of students' mental well-being, technology helps alleviate burdens by providing flexibility in completing tasks, stimulating a sense of connection through collaboration, and offering psychological support.</span>

Building employability in PASS leaders through peer-assisted study sessions (PASS) programs

PurposeThe peer-assisted study sessions program (PASS) – variously known as supplemental instruction, peer mentoring and peer-assisted learning – is regarded as a global phenomenon in academic support interventions and has well established presence in higher education. The purpose of this study was to add to the body of knowledge of how PASS may add value to the employability of the student leaders, in relation to the CareerEDGE model.Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative research was based on interviews from a sample of 18 former PASS leaders who have since obtained employment.FindingsFindings demonstrate that being a PASS leader enhanced many of their competencies as defined by CareerEDGE model, for example subject related knowledge, interpersonal skills and some generic skills. However, many of the reported competency enhancements led to unexpected future career advancement.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to the body of knowledge relating to how PASS may add value to the employability of student leaders in relation to the CareerEDGE model using a sample of leaders who have already graduated and have obtained employment. Limitations of this study include: lack of generalisability of small geographically isolated sample; coding and analsysis not comparing findings from different demographic groups; only explores individual perceptions and relies on self-reported data.Practical implicationsThe results of this study have implications for the development of future PASS programs and other similar academic support interventions. Given the global prevalence of such programs in higher education institutions, this research may have wide-scale transferability. Insights from this paper will allow future PASS leaders to proactively reflect and evaluate their experience and increase their confidence in pursuing their employment opportunities.Originality/valueWhile there is much understanding on the role that PASS has in improving students grades and in improving retention rates, less is known about the value of this experience on improving student employability, and little attempt has been made in examining this within relevant employability models post-employment.

Using social media small-group communication to promote the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs

This study examined the impact of social media-supported small-group communication on the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs. The design that was used in this study was quasi-experimental. A total of 271 art entrepreneurs were sampled for the study and grouped into three social media ( n = 90), face-to-face ( n = 90) and control group ( n = 91). A structured questionnaire was used for the collection of data for the study, while data were analysed using multiple analyses of variance. The study showed that small group communication was effective in improving the marketing skills of art entrepreneurs in the areas of social media marketing, content management, data analysis, mobile advertising, design, video marketing, project management, creativity, interpersonal skills, leadership, time management, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. The study also found that small-group communication on social media can be as effective as face-to-face small-group communication. Improving marketing skills also improves business performance in areas such as sales, return on investment, and net profit. Finally, art entrepreneurs in the social media-supported group had higher scores in satisfaction, convenience and quality of communication than their counterparts in face-to-face communication. This study has shown that social media-supported small-group communication is cost-effective in promoting the acquisition of marketing skills among art entrepreneurs.

Exploring neuronal markers and early social environment influence in divergent quail lines selected for social motivation

Many species, including humans exhibit a wide range of social behaviors that are crucial for the adaptation and survival of most species. Brain organization and function are shaped by genetic and environmental factors, although their precise contributions have been relatively understudied in the context of artificial selection. We used divergent lines of quail selected on their high versus low level of motivation to approach a group of conspecifics (S + and S-, respectively) to investigate the influence of genetic selection and early social environment on sociability. We observed distinct sex- and brain-region-specific expression patterns of three neuronal markers: mesotocin, and vasotocin, the avian homologues of mammalian oxytocin and vasopressin, as well as aromatase, the enzyme that converts androgens into estrogens. These markers displayed pronounced and neuroanatomically specific differences between S + and S- quail. Additionally, in a second experiment, we assessed the influence of early social environment on social skills in juvenile birds. Mixing S + and S- resulted in more S- males approaching the group without affecting the sociability of S + or other behaviors, suggesting that the early social environment may influence the results of genetic selection. In conclusion, the divergent quail lines offer a valuable model for unraveling the neuronal and behavioral mechanisms underlying social behaviors.