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A Review and Programmatic Model of Group Social Skills Training for Psychiatric Patients

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Handbook of Behavioral Group Therapy

Part of the book series: Applied Clinical Psychology ((NSSB))

Abstract

The literature on social skills training is so extensive as to preclude a comprehensive review in any one source. Although the field is quite new, its initially optimistic results have generated considerable analog and clinical research investigations. This chapter will provide a review of social skills training as well as a description of the programmatic model developed in our clinic. The chapter is divided into two sections reflecting each of these topics. The present discussion will focus on the historical development of the skills training model and its therapeutic application with both individuals and groups. The objective of this section is to describe the following content areas: (a) early work on the role of social competence and psychopathology; (b) paradigmatic operant research demonstrating the modifiability of social behavior; (c) an overview of clinical research applications emphasizing group training programs with various patient populations; and (d) a critique of research. In the second section, the content and characteristics of a group training program that has been employed at the Providence Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Center will be described.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Veterans Administration Medical Center, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, 02908, USA

    Peter M. Monti

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15260, USA

    David J. Kolko

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  1. Peter M. Monti
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  2. David J. Kolko
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Lahey Clinic Medical Center, Burlington, Massachusetts, USA

    Dennis Upper

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Dennis Upper

  3. Veterans Administration Medical Center, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

    Steven M. Ross

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Monti, P.M., Kolko, D.J. (1985). A Review and Programmatic Model of Group Social Skills Training for Psychiatric Patients. In: Upper, D., Ross, S.M. (eds) Handbook of Behavioral Group Therapy. Applied Clinical Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-4958-7_2

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