Social skills program for adolescents in preparing for work

Abstract

Adolescents from unfavorable socio-economic backgrounds have less access to education and good working conditions. This social vulnerability requires the adolescents an elaborate repertoire of social skills to face the challenges related to the professional insertion and defense of their rights. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Social Skills Program to overcome interpersonal difficulties in different daily situations of adolescents who sought job opportunities. Twenty-six adolescents (age between 14 and 16 years) of low income participated, distributed through a lottery in two groups, one of intervention and one of control. The instruments of evaluation used were: Inventory of Social Skills for Adolescents and Field Diary. The intervention showed a significant effect on overcoming interpersonal difficulties related to the social skills of Self-control and Social-sexual Approach, considered important for social adaptation, discovery of sexuality and coexistence in school or work.

Key words:
Social skills; program evaluation; adolescence