NCJ Number
143081
Date Published
1991
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This paper presents the methodology and results of the evaluation of some of the social skills group work with rapists, pedophiles, and incest offenders conducted at the Frankland Prison.
Abstract
Group aims were to reduce social anxiety, increase self-confidence in interpersonal interaction, and encourage the development of more appropriately assertive and socially expressive behaviors. The essence of the skills training was learning through discussion, observation, and practice of skills, rather than through verbal instruction. Each session was fundamentally interactive and participative, and it combined group discussion and the development of practical and personal skills through relevant exercises, role- playing, role-reversal, feedback, and "homework" assignments. The groups were evaluated with self-report questionnaires (including measures of self-esteem, social anxiety and distress, and fear of negative evaluation); staff observation and ratings; and videotaped social encounters with an unknown female, rated blindly by others. These measures were used before, throughout, and following the treatment. A waiting-list control group experimental design was used. Findings show improvement in treatment- group members' self-confidence and interpersonal functioning, with a corresponding decrease in their levels of social anxiety. Secondary data indicate the contribution and enjoyment of group members, the amount learned, and increased self-confidence in putting what is learned into practice. 4 tables, 5 figures, and 22 references