Family correlates of social skill deficits in incarcerated and nonincarcerated adolescents.

This study examined social skill deficits in two groups of adolescent males--incarcerated and nonincarcerated. Family variables of structure and functioning were correlated with social skills. Subjects were selected from a local detention center and a university located in a rural county. Interviews were conducted to determine family functioning and structure and a a self-report social skills measure was administered. A significant relationship between social skill deficits and group membership was found and also that family structure is related to group membership. Several social skill measure subscales were found to be related to both family functioning and structure.