The impact of social skills training on the adjustment of children with newly diagnosed cancer.
Randomized 64 children ages 5 to 13 years with newly diagnosed cancer to either a Social Skills Training experimental treatment group or a School Reintegration standard treatment group. Children who received explicit training in social skills reported higher perceived classmate and teacher social support at the 9-month follow-up in comparison to pretreatment levels, while parents reported a decrease in internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and an increase in school competence. Methodological improvements for Phase III clinical trials are addressed.
Varni
J W
JW
Division of Hematology-Oncology, Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, California 92123.
Katz
E R
ER
Colegrove
R
R
Dolgin
M
M
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D012803:Sick Role; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support