Strengthening social skills: developing a social competence intervention for physical education using intervention...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Education
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Social competence promotion is understudied.
• A multi-method approach is needed for enhancing social skills.
• Existing programs lack systematic, theory-derived designs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and present a program for enhancing social competences.
• To adapt Bartholomew's Intervention Mapping (IM) approach for psychological and educational contexts.
• To address perceptive-cognitive, emotional-motivational, and behavioral components of social competence.

Main Methods:

• Adapted the six-step Intervention Mapping (IM) process.
• Developed a program design for Physical Education settings.
• Utilized Kanning's social competence model for program targets.

Main Results:

• The IM process provided a systematic structure, methodological quality, and traceability.
• The program development was time-consuming and extensive.
• Effect sizes are yet to be calculated.

Conclusions:

• The Intervention Mapping (IM) approach offers a systematic and evidence-based method for behavioral change.
• Future adaptations can extend the program to diverse contexts and specific needs.
• This study provides valuable insights for promoting social competences in educational settings.