Social Skills of Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization, Assessment, Treatment

The scientific study and clinical applications of social skills of children and adolescents have become important and well-established endeavours in the behavioural sciences, educational, and human services arenas during the past two decades. Part of the reason for the increasing prominence of these applications is that the field has finally matured to the point where there is now an expansive literature base, making it possible to identify the most important scientific and applied components. In addition, the surge of interest and popularity in this area is an outgrowth of the increasing recognition of the critical importance of social-emotional development to individuals and society in general. Although many books and other professional materials on the social competence of children and adolescents are presently available, the knowledge regarding these social skills is expanding rapidly, and there is a tremendous need to keep it current. This book helps meet this demand by synthesizing a great deal of recent work in the field. It also bridges the gap that sometimes exists between research and practice. For instance, some books on child and adolescent social skills are clearly written for the academician or researcher, and may have little apparent application for the clinician or practitioner. Other materials are written as practical assessment or intervention guides for the clinician/practitioner, yet sometimes lack supporting evidence and rationale. This book is aimed at both arenas. The authors provide a foundation of scientific knowledge that is written in a manner accessible to non-scientists and provides practical implications and examples for educational and clinical practice. It is divided into two parts - the first features a foundation for conceptualizing and assessing child and adolescent social skills, whereas the second focuses on the arena of intervention.