Exploring the Moderating Effects of Cognitive Abilities on Social Competence Intervention Outcomes.

Exploring the Moderating Effects of Cognitive Abilities on Social Competence Intervention Outcomes. Behav Modif. 2018 Jan;42(1):84-107 Authors: Stichter JP, Herzog MJ, Kilgus SP, Schoemann AM Abstract Many populations served by special education, including those identified with autism, emotional impairments, or students identified as not ready to learn, experience social competence deficits. The Social Competence Intervention-Adolescents' (SCI-A) methods, content, and materials were designed to be maximally pertinent and applicable to the social competence needs of early adolescents (i.e., age 11-14 years) identified as having scholastic potential but experiencing significant social competence deficits. Given the importance of establishing intervention efficacy, the current paper highlights the results from a four-year cluster randomized trial (CRT) to examine the efficacy of SCI-A (n = 146 students) relative to Business As Usual (n = 123 students) school-based programming. Educational personnel delivered all programming including both intervention and BAU conditions. Student functioning was assessed across multiple time points, including pre-, mid-, and post-intervention. Outcomes of interest included social competence behaviors, which were assessed via both systematic direct observation and teacher behavior rating scales. Data were analyzed using multilevel models, with students nested within schools. Results suggested after contro...
Source: Behavior Modification - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Behav Modif Source Type: research