Nadia Desbiens

Peer Groups and Behaviour Problems: A Study of School-Based Intervention for Children with EBD.

The study evaluated the effect of a programme for elementary school students with behaviour problems integrated into the regular classroom. The programme combined in-class social skills training and specific educational activities with peers, namely cooperative learning and tutoring by a prosocial peer. The innovative aspect is that the social status and affiliations of children with behaviour problems are key components in the matching of children during peer support. The goal is to improve social behaviour and to change peer perception through interventional strategies, therefore improving social reputation. Pre-test/post-test control group design was used. Results from traditional analysis indicated no significant difference between treatment and control groups after the programme. A modest effect size showed a relative improvement for students with behavioural disorders who participated in social skills training. Results are discussed in terms of the role of friends in the intervention programme.

THE IMPACT OF A SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH BEHAVIOURAL DIFFICULTIES

Behaviour problems in school present a major challenge for educators. Even though many programs exist to help students with behaviour problems develop social and school related skills, many studies report the difficulties associated with maintenance and transfer of the learned skills. This study evaluated the effects of a social skills training program, used in conjunction with a teacher assistance team, to support transfer and reinforcement in the classroom of the skills learned, on the social competence, behaviours and academic achievement of secondary school students with behavioural problems. Results show a self‐reported increase of assertion and empathy for the experimental group but teachers and parents perceived no differences in behaviour problems, academic skills or social skills. Factors that may contribute to enhance the efficacy of this type of intervention are discussed.

Profiles in the development of behavior disorders among youths with family maltreatment histories

Violent conduct by youths ranks among the types of inappropriate behavior generally originating in difficult family and social contexts. A proper understanding of the development of violent conduct must consider the situation taken as a whole. This article documents the results of a qualitative study which aimed to determine the psychosocial profiles and needs of youths with serious behavior problems and a family history of physical, psychological or sexual abuse. The results are based on the review of clinical files of 12 boys and 11 girls between the ages of 9 and 17, who were under child protection. The 23 files were analyzed to document the simultaneous evolution of behavior problems, abuse, family and school context, and the intervention of child protection services (reporting, evaluation, measures taken, foster care). The qualitative analysis followed the chronology and life history of each youth, resulting in the emergence of three generic profiles: the Undesirable, the Explosive, and the Delinquent. Each of the profiles is described and placed in perspective using the attachment, trauma and socialization theories respectively. The study concludes with proposals of distinct intervention models to be applied to these youths in the school environment.

Peer groups and behaviour problems

Abstract The study evaluated the effect of a programme for elementary school students with behaviour problems integrated into the regular classroom. The programme combined in-class social skills training and specific educational activities with peers, namely cooperative learning and tutoring by a prosocial peer. The innovative aspect is that the social status and affiliations of children with behaviour problems are key components in the matching of children during peer support. The goal is to improve social behaviour and to change peer perception through interventional strategies, therefore improving social reputation. Pre-test/post-test control group design was used. Results from traditional analysis indicated no significant difference between treatment and control groups after the programme. A modest effect size showed a relative improvement for students with behavioural disorders who participated in social skills training. Results are discussed in terms of the role of friends in the intervention programme.

Moral reasoning about school bullying in involved adolescents

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate how bullying incident participant roles and moral reasoning relate to each other in adolescents. To do so, we examined sociomoral judgments about hypothetical bullying incidents and moral disengagement in adolescents identified as bullies, defenders of the victim and passive bystanders. Six-hundred and twenty-six high school students (13- to 15-years-old) took part in this study and 131 were assigned a specific bullying incident participant role through peer nomination. Findings reveal that defenders of the victim show greater and more uniform moral sensibility than did both bullies and passive bystanders. Sociomoral reasoning helped differentiate between both bully subtypes (bully-leaders and bully-followers) and passive bystander beyond displaying greater moral disengagement than defenders did.

Influence of deviant behaviours in workgroups in relation with group composition

ABSTRACT The potential for behaviourally challenged students to negatively impact typically developing students is a concern shared by many parents and teachers. However, deviant peer influence during workgroup activities has not been thoroughly investigated through systematic observation of deviant interactions. This study compares sequences of deviant behaviours and peer responses recorded during cooperative activities. Seventy fifth-grade elementary school students were observed in three specific contexts, homogeneous EBD workgroups, homogeneous regular workgroups and inclusive workgroups. Findings reveal a greater prevalence of verbal aggressions and more explosive exchanges in EBD workgroups. In groups consisting solely of typically developing students, intentionally ignoring disruptive teammates proved to be effective in stopping deviant behaviours. Finally, it was in inclusive workgroups that observed deviant interactions sequences were the longest. These findings are discussed in relation with the role of group composition and workgroup training in fostering effective cooperative learning environments.