Tendencias actuales en el ámbito de las habilidades sociales

Abstract

In the present study we realized a review of articles published on the topic of social skills training during the Decade 2002-2012. PsycInfo database was employed, focusing specifically on review articles and meta-analyses. These articles mainly reviewed clinical and educational trainings, implemented on child and youth populations. We started our work with a critical review of the effectiveness of these trainings, analyzing both strengths and weaknesses. Finally, we discuss some practical recommendations and identify future directions. Specifically, we pointed out: the need to identify the prerequisites for assessing and documenting the effectiveness of training in social skills, guaranteeing the generalization and maintenance of the achievements; the need for adapting trainings to participants’ needs; the need to train and qualifying trainers; the need to expand trainings and ensure their accessibility (by considering those training as a right - and not as luxury element - that should be covered by the corresponding institutions).