Introduction
As practitioners in the field of speech language pathology, our primary goal is to create positive outcomes for children, especially those facing unique challenges. One such group includes rural adolescent females with substance-abusing parents. A recent study titled The Effectiveness of Group Assertiveness Training on Happiness in Rural Adolescent Females with Substance Abusing Parents provides valuable insights into how targeted interventions can significantly improve the well-being of these adolescents.
Key Findings from the Study
The study involved 57 middle school girls living in rural areas, all of whom had parents with substance dependency. Participants were divided into an intervention group, which received eight sessions of group assertiveness training, and a control group. The results were promising:
- The happiness scores in the intervention group increased from 43.68 ±17.62 to 51.57 ±16.35.
- Assertiveness scores improved from 110.33±16.05 to 90.40±12.84.
- There was a significant difference in pretest-posttest changes in scores for the intervention group compared to the control group (t(55) =2.15, p = 0.049).
Implementing Assertiveness Training in Practice
Given the compelling data, incorporating group assertiveness training into your practice can be highly beneficial. Here are some actionable steps:
- Identify Candidates: Screen adolescents who may benefit from assertiveness training, especially those with substance-abusing parents.
- Structured Sessions: Design eight-week programs focusing on role-play and interactive activities to build assertiveness skills.
- Measure Outcomes: Use validated tools like the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire and the Gambrills-Richey Assertion Inventory to track progress.
- Follow-Up: Ensure continuous support and follow-up sessions to maintain the gains achieved during the training.
Encouraging Further Research
While the study provides a strong foundation, further research is essential to explore the long-term effects of assertiveness training and its impact on other life aspects, such as substance abuse prevention. Practitioners are encouraged to conduct similar studies in different settings and with larger sample sizes to validate these findings.
Conclusion
Assertiveness training has shown to be an effective intervention for improving happiness and assertiveness in rural adolescent females with substance-abusing parents. By implementing these strategies in your practice, you can make a significant difference in the lives of these vulnerable adolescents.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: The Effectiveness of Group Assertiveness Training on Happiness in Rural Adolescent Females with Substance Abusing Parents.
