Thesis (MA (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 125-133).

The following report draws on previous research as a rationale for a proposed study investigating the link between social skills and academic achievement for individuals with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The literature lends basis to the hypothesis that social skills may ameliorate the negative outcomes associated with ADHD. ADHD is related to negative outcomes in academic and social domains, including underachievement and exclusion. This is of particular importance because of the prevalence of ADHD and the frequency of social demands. In this report, the literature on academic achievement of individuals with ADHA is reviewed and a study is proposed that would contribute to establishing social skills as a moderator of the relationship between ADHD and academic achievement. Suggestions for other areas of research are also considered. / text

A cooperation project on school physical education (PE) was established between the Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria, South Africa and the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. The project was funded as part of the international cooperation agreement between South Africa and Sweden. The aim of the project was to investigate discrepancies between intended subscription and actual provision for PE/Life Orientation (LO) in Swedish and South African schools. Presented in this paper are results of the pilot study on the comparative research project which focused on PE as a tool for developing health and social skills among Swedish and South African school children. A major objective of the project was to investigate how provision for PE is defined in formal school settings in both countries. To answer the question we constructed a 23-item questionnaire measuring PE provision and children’s attitudes towards the subject in primary and lower secondary schools. A questionnaire was constructed utilizing a) participant observations of lessons in Sweden and South Africa, b) semi-structured interviews with school principals and PE teachers in both countries, and c) analyses of policy documents in each country. The pilot instrument consisted of four batteries of questions: a) Health promotion (8 items), b) Social development (8 items), c) Personal development (10 items), and d) Physical development and movement (6 items). The questionnaire was developed in two almost identical versions and was completed by primary school pupils in South Africa (n =105) and Sweden (n = 42). In order to improve the reliability and the construct validity of the questionnaire we modified the pilot versions of the questionnaire eliminating poorly fit items using various statistical techniques. Pupils’ answers to the questionnaire were analyzed mainly through structural equation modeling techniques (AMOS). This technique facilitates the simultaneous analysis of the robustness of the whole instrument and the test of each battery of questions. The statistical analyses were aimed at designing a questionnaire with very good fit indices for Swedish and South African contexts. Results yielded substantial Cronbach’s α: whole instrument (α=.84); Health promotion (α=60), Social development (α=60), Personal development (α=79), Physical development (α=76), which showed acceptable reliability estimates for the questionnaire subscales.

Note: / Social skills instruction is a key component to intervening with students with emotionaland behavioral disorders (EBD). The behavior of students in the elementary school levels shouldbe assessed in order to implement behavioral intervention strategies because as they progressinto high school and later, the risk for negative life-long impact increases. The two main goalsare perceived by their friends, siblings, parents, and teachers, and to allow them to generalize theskills that they learn, being able to use the positive social skills outside of the training setting. Inorder to do so, it is crucial to assess students' behavior, to train students through directinstruction, teacher modeling, student role play, and skill review, and to allow students toevaluate themselves on their proficiency of using the newly learned skill. In the project thatfollows, a review of literature justifying social skills instruction as a valid intervention method,as well as a proposed social skills curriculum, are presented.

Thesis (MPsych(Clin))--University of South Australia, 1998

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiv, 132 p. : ill. (some col.). Advisor: Paul Granello, College of Education. Includes bibliographical references (p. 125-132).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1990.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1939. / Typescript. Includes abstract and vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 122-128).

Thesis (Ed. D.)--Indiana University of Pennsylvania. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 32-37).