Assessing the Meaningful Social Behaviors of Girls in a Structured Leisure Time Activity

The purpose of this study was to identify those skills that help demonstrate social competency in a structured leisure time activity. By using a contextual assessment approach to identify social behaviors that are valued by multiple stakeholders in Girls Scout troops, it may be possible to develop social skills interventions for children involved in Scouting who are experiencing social difficulties in that setting.Data were collected from Scouts, troop leaders, and parents in three Brownie and Junior Scouts troops for a total of 15 Scouts, 3 leaders and 2 or 3 parent participants from each Scouting level. Grounded theory was used to analyze the data and develop a template of meaningful social behaviors for girls participating in Scouting. To ensure the fidelity of the conclusions drawn from the data, a member check, peer reviews, and triangulation were completed.Two social behaviors, helps others and respects others, were agreed upon by participants across both age levels and participant categories in Scouting and would have high social validity as targets for interventions in the groups studied. Eight additional behaviors were agreed upon by the majority of participant categories and groups, and would also be expected to have high social validity as they were indicated by the majority of stakeholders. Future research is needed that not only identifies social behaviors with high social validity using a contextual assessment approach, but also expands on the research by conducting and monitoring the results of social skills interventions using the behaviors identified through the contextual assessment.

Name thesis:degree_name

PHD

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences

Grantor dc:publisher

Kent State University

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Matecun, Tammy A.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Tankersley, Melody
• Cowan, Richard

• Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Social Behaviors
• Structured Leisure Time Activity
• Contextual Assessment

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1364910521

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:kent1364910521