The Effect of a Social Skills Program on Violent Behaviors in Children Aged 60~72 Months.

PURPOSE

To determine the effects of a child and parent program on developing social skills for preventing violent behaviors in children aged 60~72 months through a specially developed pre and posttest, control group, quasi-experimental study.

METHODS

A social skills development program based on Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory was used. The data were collected using the Social Skills Assessment Scale (SSAS), a Chart to Monitor Verbal and Behavioral Violence in Children, the Parental Attitude Scale and the Parent Interview Form. This quasi-experimental study that included a pretest, posttest, and control group had a sample comprising 67 children and parents, with 36 in the experimental group, and 31 in the control group.

RESULTS

Over a six-month period, while the social skill scores of the children in the experimental and control groups increased, their violent behaviors decreased (<.050). Increase in social skill scores and decrease in violent behaviors were higher in the experimental than in the control group children (<.050). The parents in the experimental group stated that they had started to empathize with their children, using "I" language, and applied rules more consistently after the program.

CONCLUSION

This program was successful in preventing violent behaviors in children through the development of social skills. Hence, it can be effectively implemented through a teacher/nurse collaboration.