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

ABSTRACT

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 (p<.050). Increase in social skill scores and decrease in violent behaviors were higher in the experimental than in the control group children (p<.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 teacherurse collaboration.