Skip to main content
Log in

Sociocultural Considerations in Social Skills Training Research with African American Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders

  • Published:
Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) often have been identified on the basis of their social competence deficits. The overrepresentation of African American students in special education programs for EBD has been recognized for decades. This suggests that African American students with EBD have been in urgent need of social skills training (SST) if they have not been misidentified. Given that sociocultural contexts influence social behavior, there is a need to advance culturally sensitive SST research. This paper reviews SST research studies with African American students with EBD, including the extent to which researchers incorporated a sociocultural perspective in the design, implementation, and reporting of their research. Implications of the findings and suggestions for future research and practice are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Artiles, A. J., and Trent, S. C. (1994). Overrepresentation of minority students in special education: A continuing debate. J. Spec. Educ. 27: 410-437.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bos, C., and Fletcher, T. (1997). Sociocultural considerations in learning disabilities inclusion research: Knowledge gaps and future directions. Learn. Disabil. Res. Pract. 12: 92-99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boykin, A. W. (1986). The triple quandary and the schooling of Afro-American children. In Neisser, U. (ed.), The School Achievement of Minority Children, Erlbaum, Hillsdale, NJ, pp. 57-92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cartledge, G., and Loe, S. (2001). Cultural diversity and social skill instruction. Exceptionality 9: 33-46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cartledge, G., and Milburn, J. F. (1978). The case for teaching social skills in the classroom: A review. Rev. Educ. Res. 48: 133-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cartledge, G., and Milburn, J. F. (1996). Cultural Diversity and Social Skills Instruction: Understanding Ethnic and Gender Differences, Research Press, Champaign, IL.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cline, D. H. (1990). A legal analysis of policy initiatives to exclude handicapped/disruptive students from special education. Behav. Disord. 15: 159-173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Coutinho, M. J., and Oswald, D. P. (2000). Disproportionate representation in special education: A synthesis and recommendations. J. Child Fam. Stud. 9: 135-156.

    Google Scholar 

  • Diaz, E., and Flores, B. (1991, May). Teacher as Cultural Mediator, Paper Presented at the Claremont Reading Conference, Claremont, CA.

  • Elias, M. J. (1983). Improving coping skills of emotionally disturbed boys through television-based social problem solving. Am. J. Orthopsychiatry 53: 61-72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elmore, R. F., Peterson, P. L., and McCarthey, S. J. (1996). Restructuring in the Classroom: Teaching, Learning, and School Organization, Jossey-Bass, San Francisco.

    Google Scholar 

  • Finn, J. D. (1982). Patterns in special education placement as revealed by the OCR surveys. In Heller, K. A., Holtzman, W. H., and Messick, S. (Eds.), Placing Children in Special Education: A Strategy for Equity, National Academy Press, Washington, DC, pp. 322-381.

    Google Scholar 

  • Forness, S. R., and Knitzer, J. (1992). A new proposed definition and terminology to replace “Serious Emotional Disturbance” in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Sch. Psychol. Rev. 21: 29-34.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gamble, A., and Strain, P. S. (1979). The effects of dependent and interdependent group contingencies on socially appropriate responses in classes for emotionally handicapped children. Psychol. Sch. 16: 253-260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Garcia, S. B., and Malkin, D. H. (1993). Toward defining programs and services for culturally and linguistically diverse learners in special education. Teach. Except. Child. 26: 52-58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Glassberg, L. A., Hooper, S. R., and Mattison, R. E. (1999). Prevalence of learning disabilities at enrollment in special education students with behavioral disorders. Behav. Disord. 25: 9-12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gresham, F. M., and Nagle, R. J. (1980). Social skills training with children: Responsiveness to modeling and coaching as a function of peer orientation. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 18: 718-729.

    Google Scholar 

  • Henderson, D. H., and Washington, A. G. (1975). Cultural differences and the education of Black children: An alternative model for program development. J. Negro Educ. 44: 353-360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herskovits, M. J. (1958). The Myth of the Negro Past, Beacon, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilliard, A. G. (1980). Cultural diversity and special education. Except. Child. 46: 584-588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hilliard, A. G. (1995). Culture, assessment, and valid teaching for the African-American student. In Ford, B. A., Obiakor, F. E., and Patton, J. (Eds.), Effective Education of African American Exceptional Learners: New Perspectives, Pro-Ed, Austin, TX, pp. ix-xvi.

    Google Scholar 

  • Irvine, J. J. (1990). Black Students and School Failure: Policies, Practices, and Prescriptions, Greenwood, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jenson, J. M., and Howard, M. O. (1998). Youth crime, public policy, and practices in the juvenile justice system: Recent trends and needed reforms. Soc. Work 43: 324-334.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kauffman, J. M. (2001). Characteristics of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders of Children and Youth, 7th edn.), Merrill, Upper Saddle River, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Bass, D., Siegel, T., and Thomas, C. (1989). Cognitive–behavioral therapy and relationship therapy in the treatment of children referred for antisocial behavior. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 57: 522-535.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Esveldt-Dawson, K., French, N. H., and Unis, A. S. (1987). Problem-solving skills training and relationship therapy in the treatment of antisocial child behavior. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 55: 76-85.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kazdin, A. E., Siegel, T. C., and Bass, D. (1992). Cognitive problem-solving skills training and parent management training in the treatment of antisocial behavior in children. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 60: 733-747.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehan, H., and Trujillo, T. (1989). Teacher education issues. In Hakuta, K. (ed.), University of California Linguistic Minority Research and Policy Series, No. 4, University of California, Linguistic Minority Research and Policy, Santa Barbara, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Merrell, K. W., and Gimpel, G. A. (1998). Social Skills of Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization, Assessment, Treatment, Erlbaum, Mahwah, NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Michelson, L., Mannarino, A. P., Marchione, K. E., Stern, M., Figueroa, J., and Beck, S. (1983). A comparative outcome of behavioral social-skills training, interpersonal problem-solving and non-directive control treatments with child psychiatric outpatients. Behav. Res. Ther. 21: 545-556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, R. J., Cartledge, G., and Heckaman, K. (1995). The effects of social skill instruction and self-monitoring on game-related behaviors of adolescents with emotional or behavioral disorders. Behav. Disord. 20: 253-266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pope, C., and Feyerherm, W. (1993). Minorities in the Juvenile Justice System, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, M. M., Kavale, K. A., Mathur, S. R., Rutherford, R. B., Jr., and Forness, S. R. (1999). A meta-analysis of social skill interventions for students with emotional or behavioral disorders. J. Emot. Behav. Disord. 7: 54-64.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivera, B. D., and Rogers-Adkinson, D. (1997). Culturally sensitive interventions: Social skills training with children and parents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Interv. Sch. Clin. 33: 75-80.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rosenberg, M. S., Wilson, R., Maheady, L., and Sindelar, P. T. (1997). Educating Students With Behavior Disorders, 2nd edn., Allyn & Bacon, Boston.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sattler, J. M. (1992). Assessment of Children: Revised and Updated Third Edition, Author, San Diego, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stockman, I. J. (1995). The Social–Political Construction of Science: Evidence From Language Research on African American Children, City University of New York, Graduate School and University Center, New York, pp. 1-44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tharp, R. (1989). Psychocultural variables and constants: Effects on teaching and learning in schools. Am. Psychol. 44: 349-359.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trent, S. C. (1997). Teaching urban African American students with learning disabilities in inclusive classrooms: Using study groups to facilitate change. Learn. Disabil. Res. Pract. 12: 132-142.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trower, P., Bryant, B., and Argyle, M. (1978). Social Skills and Mental Health, Methuen, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Turner, S. M., Beidel, D. C., Hersen, M., and Bellack, A. S. (1984). Effects of race on ratings of social skill. J. Consult. Clin. Psychol. 52: 474-475.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education. (1992). Fourteenth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Author, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education. (1997). Nineteenth Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Author, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Education. (2000). Twenty-Second Annual Report to Congress on the Implementation of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, Author, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, H. M., Colvin, G., and Ramsey, E. (1995). Antisocial Behavior in School: Strategies and Best Practices, Brooks/Cole, Pacific Grove, CA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, P., Harris, G. E., Solovitz, B. L., and Franklin, J. L. (1986). A social problem-solving intervention for children at high risk for later psychopathology. J. Clin. Child Psychol. 15: 30-40.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Olmeda, R.E., Kauffman, J.M. Sociocultural Considerations in Social Skills Training Research with African American Students with Emotional or Behavioral Disorders. Journal of Developmental and Physical Disabilities 15, 101–121 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022871232435

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022871232435

Navigation