ASSERTION TRAINING AS A SHORT TERM TREATMENT METHOD WITH LONG TERM INCARCERATED JUVENILE DELINQUENTS.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of assertion training as a short-term treatment approach with long-term incarcerated male juvenile delinquents. Delinquent behavior has been conceptualized by some researchers as a manifestation of situation-specific social-behavioral skill deficits. It has been suggested that some individuals behave maladaptively because they lack the appropriate skills. Assertion training focuses on the acquisition of situation-specific social-behavioral skills. Assertion training has often been used for increasing a person's self-worth and interactional skills. It was hoped that this study would provide evidence to support assertion training as a systematic and effective tool for enhancing the delinquent's repertoire of social-behavioral skills, enabling him to interact more appropriately within the institution and providing him with new skills which can benefit him upon reintegration into the community. A pre-test-post-test control group design was utilized. The population consisted of male incarcerated juvenile delinquents. Forty-four were randomly assigned to an experimental and control group. Criterion measures were given to all subjects during the first and last week of the training. The experimental group received assertion training which utilized the techniques of behavior-rehearsal, modeling, coaching, and homework. Significant results beyond the .05 level of confidence were obtained on four of the five hypotheses. The groups differed in assertiveness, aggressiveness, and aggressive behavior. The groups did not differ in submissiveness. The data indicate that assertion training is effective as a short-term treatment method with long-term incarcerated juvenile delinquents.