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Intentional skill development as an interventional tool
Abstract
An 11 unit Cognitive-behavioral program was developed as a model for group probation supervision. Its goal was to reduce offender recidivism through a training program focusing on Intentional Skill Development and interpersonal problem solving. Ninety-eight probationers were randomly assigned either to an experimental group or an untrained control group. Subjects in both groups were monitored for eight months and compared in terms of recidivism and Problem Solving Skill (PSS) abilities. Compared with subjects in the control group, those in the experimental group demonstrated increased PSS abilities and reduced rates of recidivism. Improved problem solving abilities were directly related to reduced rates of recidivism. Normative data was collected for this population utilizing the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). In addition, the experimental group was asked to respond to a self-report questionnaire. The structural design of the program was evaluated and a series of problematic situations were identified as being particularly relevant to this population.
Subject Area
Academic guidance counseling|Criminology|Social psychology
Recommended Citation
Culver, Henry Elliott, "Intentional skill development as an interventional tool" (1993). Doctoral Dissertations Available from Proquest. AAI9329590.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations/AAI9329590