Relative effectiveness of assertive training, modelling and their combination in the reduction of isolate behaviour in children

Abstract

The study investigated the Relative Effectiveness of Assertive Training (AT), modelling (M) and a combination of Assertive Training and Modelling (AT & M) techniques in improving the social skills of primary school isolates and consequently reduce their isolate behaviour. The study is a quasi experimental research that adopted a pretest, post-test, treatment Control group design with a 4x2 matrix. It was conducted in one of the primary schools in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State. Four experimental groups comprising of three treatment groups of AT, M, and AT&M who were treated through eight therapy sessions for six weeks were used for the study. Forty-eight participants were randomly selected from the target population and were randomly assigned to the four experimental groups. Different types of researcher developed and validated instruments were used in the identification of the isolates, measuring their social competence and testing the effectiveness of the treatment programmes at the post test and follow up assessment periods. Two null hypotheses tested at 0.05 level of significance were raised to guide the study. Data collected were analysed with ANCOVA F-test and Scheffé test. The result revealed that the treatment techniques were equally effective and superior to the Control condition in improving the social skills of isolates and reducing their isolate behaviour. None of the treatment techniques was superior to the other.

Key Words: Assertive training, modelling, isolate behaviour, children, social interaction.