The effects of peer social initiations on the social behavior of withdrawn maltreated preschool children.

The present study evaluated the treatment and generalization effects of implementing a peer social initiation intervention with four severely withdrawn maltreated preschool children. Positive social response and initiation data were collected across the treatment (a playroom) and the natural classroom setting. A reversal design superimposed on a multiple baseline was used to evaluate the effectiveness. The results indicated increases in positive social responses and initiations across treatment and generalization settings. Follow-up data for two children indicated time and setting-time generalization effects. Teacher reports validated treatment gains.