The purpose of this study is to investigate how social skill training influences social adaptive
ability of a mentally retarded students in terms of self-control, peer-relationship, school
adjustment and empathy ability. The subjects of study consist of 24 mentally retarded students
for high schools. They were divided into experiment and control groups with 12 students each.
We used Walker-McConnell scales of social competence and school adjustment by Walker and
McConnell(1988) as a measurement tool. We was in accomplished the social skills training
program for middle-high school students designed by Hyungi Shin(2004) for the purpose of this
study. The results of this study showed followings.
First, in social skills the experiment group training shows the similar result to control group
in self-control ability. But the two groups make significant difference in such subordinate items
as criticism acceptance of constructive friend, interest attraction of companion by proper way.
Second, there were no significant differences between the two groups peer-relationship ability
only with slight significance in the subordinate item that other students come in order to play
with the student.
Third, the school adjustment ability was an insignificant factor differentiation the two groups.
But there was a significant difference in a statement of practical use of free hours.
Finally, there was no difference between the two groups by empathy ability.
In summary, we cannot check the significance for the experiment and control groups in terms of four subordinate item, but, overall, we can see significance for other subordinate items
except empathy ability. The pre and post averages of the two groups were differentiate highly.
In according to this study, social skills training program makes a positive influence on mentally
retarded students. We cannot see a significance in the study because a short term training for
mentally retarded students might not change habitual and accredited cognitive behavior in social adjustment. Therefore, we expect that long-term and systematic social skills training program can improve the social adaptive ability of mentally retarded students.