INTERPERSONAL SKILL TRAINING THROUGH A DATING FEEDBACK GROUP

Abstract

A recent trend in social skill training has been the focus on the treatment of adult infrequent daters. Systematic investigations of such treatment have often been focused on the treatment of males (Bander, Steinke, Allen, and Mosher, 1975; MacDonald, Lindquist, Kramer, McGrath, and Rhyne, 1975; Martinson and Zerface, 1970; McGovern, Arkowitz, and Gilmore, 1975; Rehm and Marston, 1968; Twentyman and McFall, 1975). Furthermore, while there is much research evidence documenting the prevalence of dating skill deficits and social anxiety among young adults in our society today (Borkovec, Fleishmann, and Caputo, 1973; Martinson and Zerface, 1970; Segal, Phillips, and Feldmesser, 1967), the sample populations have frequently been college student volunteers (Bander, et al., 1975; Christensen, Arkowitz and Anderson, 1975; Martinson and Zerface, 1970; McGovern, et al., 1975). An objective of the present study was to extend dating skill training to male and female subjects who more closely approximate a clinical population than have populations of previous studies. For the purpose of this study, clinical population was explicated by the following criteria: 1) subject identified infrequent dating as a primary problem, 2) subject voluntarily sought treatment for problems related to dating either independently
or through therapist recommendation, 3) subject viewed infrequent dating and lack of social skills as having a pervasive, detrimental effect upon his life (i.e., subject viewed problems as significantly diminishing self-satisfaction and limiting his ability to function in various work and social settings), and 4) subject verbally committed himself to group treatment.