THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS OF YOUNG PEOPLE LIVING IN COMMUNITY CARE HOMES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17770/sie2018vol1.3184Keywords:
community care homes, social skills, young peopleAbstract
The purpose of the article is to reveal the need for the social skills of young people living in community care homes based on the experience of young people. Problematic study questions: What social skills, which are important to a person‘s independent living, do the adolescents lack? How do opportunities to develop social skills change while living in the community care homes? Eight young people aged 17-18 years old from three community care homes, which are in different parts of Lithuania, participated in the study. The study revealed that young people lack communication skills: they have difficulty establishing and maintaining contact, communicating politely, being empathetic (careful, attentive and understanding to others), addressing emerging issues and conflicts constructively. The study found out that young people lack intrapersonal skills: self-control, responsibility, and self-confidence. Young people lack activity organisation skills: activity planning and activity realisation skills.The study reveals that, while living in community child care homes, opportunities to develop social skills change in a positive way. In everyday practical activities, more opportunities to solve problems and plan and organise various activities occur. By communicating and cooperating in the family environment, young people acquire more empathy, building rapport and maintaining it, polite communication and conflict resolution skills. A family atmosphere and close and positive mutual relationships, which are built in the community child care homes, contribute to the strengthening of self-confidence and trust in others.
Downloads
References
Bubnys, R. & Jasevičienė, Z. (2013). Globos namuose gyvenančių paauglių patiriamų problemų sąsajos su ateities perspektyvomis. Profesinės studijos: teorija ir praktika, 11, 31–37.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 3 rd Edition. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Common European Guidelines on the Transition from Institutional to Community Based Care. (2012). Retrieved from http://deinstitutionalisationguide.eu/
Demir, M., Jaafar, J., Bilyk, N., & Ariff, M. R. (2012). Social skills, friendship and happiness: A cross-cultural investigation. The Journal of Social Psychology, 152, 379–385.
Goleman, D. (2001). Emocinis intelektas. Vilnius: Presvika.
Gudžinskienė, V., & Raudeliūnaitė, R. (2016). The improvement of children’s independent living skills in the context of the restructuring of children’s care homes. Society, integration, education, 3, 312-323.
Ismayilova, L., Ssewamala, F. & Huseynli, A. (2014). Reforming child institutional care in the Post-Soviet bloc: The potential role of family-based empowerment strategies. Children and Youth Services Review, 47, 136–148. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2014.09.007
Merrell, K.W. & Gimpel, G.A. (2014). Social Skills of Children and Adolescents: Conceptualization, Assessment, Treatment. New York: Psychology Press.
Raudeliūnaitė, R. (2007) Sutrikusio regėjimo paauglių socialiniai įgūdžiai ir jų pedagoginės prielaidos. Šiauliai: Šiaulių universiteto leidykla.
Raudeliūnaitė, R., & Paigozina, R. (2009). Vaikų, gyvenančių globos namuose, socialinių įgūdžių raiškos ypatumai. Socialinis darbas, 8(1), 138-146.
Samašonok, K. (2013). Globos namuose gyvenančių vaikų ir paauglių savarankiško gyvenimo įgūdžių ugdymas: pasiekimai, sunkumai, sprendimai. Pedagogika, 110, 103–114.
Scannapieco, M., Connell-Carrick, K. & Painter, K. (2007). In Their Own Words: Challenges Facing Youth Aging Out of Foster Care. Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal, 24(5), 423–435. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-007-0093-x
Sellman, Edward. (2011). Peer mediation services for conflict resolution in schools: what transformations in activity characterize successful implementation? British Educational Research Journal, 37 (1), 45-60.
Spray, C. ir Jowett, B. (2012). Social work practice with children and families. London: SAGE. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.4135/9781446288993
Zins, J., Weissbert, R., Wang, M., & Walberg, H. (2004). Building Academic Success on Social and Emotional Learning: What does the Research Say? New York: Teachers College Press.