The Effectiveness of Assertiveness Skills Training in Improving Self- Esteem and Peer Relationships of Slow Learner Students

Abstract

Assertiveness is considered as a significant factor in improving self-esteem and interpersonal relationships. Studies show that slow learner students have problem in self-confidence and interpersonal relationships. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of assertiveness skills training on improving self-esteem and peer relationships of slow learner students. The study design was experimental, running the pre-test, post-test, with a control group. 24 boys in third to sixth grades in Rudbaar were randomly assigned to control (n=12) and experimental group (n=12), and answered to Scale of Relationship between Peers (walter Hudson, 1997), and self-esteem questionnaire (Cooper Smith, 1967). Assertiveness skills training was performed during eight sixty-minute sessions for the experimental group while control group received no this training. Results of covariance analysis showed that assertiveness skills training improves peer relationships among slow learner students, and also increases total score of their self-esteem (P<0.001). The results of this research confirms that assertiveness skills training could be considered as an intervention to enhance self-esteem and peer relationships of slow learner students.

Keywords

• assertiveness skills
• peer relationships
• self-esteem
• slow learner students