© Child Trends 2004
Social Cognitive Training (SCT)
OVERVIEW
Social Cognitive Training (SCT) is a four-session group-based skills-training program designed to increase self-esteem and improve peer relations. Findings from a randomized study conducted in Australia suggest that the program helps students with low-self esteem gain greater self-esteem, confidence, and experience fewer negative self statements, but did not have better relationships with their peers.
Target population: Adolescents with low self esteem and/or problems interacting with peers
The SCT program utilizes a skills training strategy (i.e., instruction combined with coaching, modeling, rehearsal, self-observation, peer feedback, and praise) to improve knowledge and skills related to: a) self esteem; b) self talk; c) positive thinking; d) communication; e) problem solving; and f) perception. The SCT and the comparison placebo groups are led by post-graduate students or clinical psychologists who receiving training over four weeks on program implementation. The program meets for 90 minutes weekly over a one-month period (four sessions). Homework is assigned to reinforce knowledge and skills taught during the lessons.
Barrett, P. M., Webster, H. M., & Wallis, J. R. (1999). Adolescent Self-Esteem and Cognitive Skills Training: A School-Based Intervention. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 8(2), 217-227.
Evaluated Population: The study sample included 51 white Australian students (70.6% female), who were tenth graders (13- to 16-years old) attending a Catholic high school. The sample was selected because they were nominated by a teacher and/or school counselor as having problems interacting with peers and/or issues with self-esteem. The school was selected because of its need for mental health services and its readiness to implement a psychosocial intervention.
Approach: This is a pre-test/post-test experimental study. The study sample was selected from one school in Australia that was deemed to have a great need for mental health services and also to have the appropriate environment for a psychosocial intervention. Only students who were nominated by teachers and/or the school counselor as experiencing low self esteem or problems getting along with peers were included in the study.
Adolescents were randomized to one of three experimental conditions: one intervention group (Social Cognitive Training: n=19) and two comparison groups: an Attention Placebo Comparison group (n=16) and a Waitlist Control group (n=16). Program outcomes were assessed using self-report measures. At pre-test and at post-test, adolescents rated their self-esteem, self statements, and perceptions of themselves and of their peer relationships.
Results: Compared to the Attention Placebo and Waitlist Control groups, SCT resulted in improved self-esteem and, fewer negative self statements, but did not rate themselves as having fewer difficulties with peers.
Barrett, P. M., Webster, H. M., & Wallis, J. R. (1999). Adolescent Self-Esteem and Cognitive Skills Training: A School-Based Intervention. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 8(2), 217-227.
Program categorized in this guide according to the following:
Evaluated participant ages: Grade 10 (ages 13-16)
Program age ranges in the guide: Adolescence
Program components: Clinic/provider based
Program outcomes: Behavior problems
Program information last updated on 2/19/09.
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© Child Trends 2004 |