title: Assertiveness and problem-solving training for mildly mentally retarded persons with dual diagnoses.
abstract: This study investigated the differential effectiveness of assertiveness and problem-solving training on dually diagnosed patients' adaptive social behavior, distress and psychiatric symptoms, anger control, and problem-solving coping skills using a counterbalanced design. Assessments were conducted at pretreatment, midphase, posttreatment, and a 3-month follow-up examination. A combined assertiveness and problem-solving training package was effective for treatment of individuals with mild mental retardation with dual psychiatric diagnoses. Specifically, improvements occurred regarding both self-report measures of distress and caregiver ratings of adaptive functioning; however, no essential differences were found between these two treatment protocols. The importance of using self-regulatory models of therapy with this population is highlighted, and recommendations were made for future research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mental Health Sciences, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nezu
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Nezu
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Arean
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001242:Assertiveness; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D011340:Problem Solving