An Assertiveness Training Group
| Author | Christine Anyon,Sue Shelley,Pat Durrant |
| Published date | 01 June 1984 |
| DOI | 10.1177/026455058403100207 |
| Date | 01 June 1984 |
| Subject Matter | Articles |
61
An
Assertiveness
Training
Group
Christine
Anyon,
Pat
Durrant
and
Sue
Shelley
York
Probation
Office
How
workers
learnt
and
applied
techniques
of
helping
women
clients
to
keep
control
or
assert
themselves
in
threatening
situations.
We
found
that
there
were
women
clients
in
our
area
who
might
benefit
from
a
group
approach
to
their
problems
of
under
and
over-assertiveness.
These
encompassed
both
shyness
and
an
inability
to
stand
up
for
themselves,
and
aggressive
and
domineering
behaviour.
People
who
area
unsure
of
themselves
sometimes
vacillate
between
the
two
extremes.
Appropriately
assertive
behaviour
involves
being
confident
enough
to
express
one’s
s
point
of
view
without
losing
self-control
and
becoming
aggressive.
Take
for
example
different
reactions
to
a
negative
experience,
such
as
a
refusal
of financial
aid
by
a
DHSS
official.
One
client
may
accept
the
decision
passively;
another
may
threaten
and
shout
abuse.
This
rarely
gets
them
what
they
need
Another
may,
more
appropriately,
quietly
insist
on
getting
a
full
explanation
of
the
reason
for
the
refusal
and,
if
necessary,
appeal
against
the
decision.
We
approached
a
clinical
psychologist,
who
works
with
the
Probation
Service
on
a
sessional
basis,
to
train
us
to
run
a
group
for
clients
with
pro-
blems
of assertmeness
and
to
act
as
a
consultant.
Staff
Training
This
consisted
of
preparatory
rearing
and
three
one-hour
training
sessions,
which
were
based
on
two
main
assumptions:
1
The
way
we
communicate
affects
how
other
people
respond
to
us,
and
changes
in
our
own
behaviour
alter
their
responses.
2
Face
to
face
communication
depends
not
only
upon
words,
but
on
eye
contact,
tone
of
voice,
gestures
and
posture.
Behaviour
can
be
made
more
assertive
by
appropnate
conscious
use
of
gestures,
tone
of
voice,
etc.
Selection
The
group
was
open
to
any
adult
women
who
were
referred
by
probation
officers
in
the
team
and
who
wanted
to
come
Initially
there
were
eight
referrals;
all
were
seen
at
home
twice,
when
the
aims
of the
group
and
the
methods
to
be
used
were
explained.
Six
women
decided
to
come
to
the
ses-
sions,
and
two
of
these
dropped
out
after
the
first
two
sessions.
The
six
women
(names
altered)
were.
Karen
(19)
Pregnant,
hvmg
alone
m
bed-sitter
Difficulty
m
dealing
with
authority
Barbara
(18)
A
smgle
girl,
received
into
care
because
of
farruly
breakdown
and
beyond
parental
control
Problems
of
aggression
and
depression
Lmda
(23)
A
smgle
parent,
two
children
m
care,
living
m lodgmgs,
Punk
life-style,
feel Lngs
about
children
not
being
m
her
care
Betty
(35)
Separated,
two
children
in
care
Aggressive,
easily
annoyed,
few
positive
relationships
with
women
Ahson
(24)
A
single
parent,
two
children
Shy,
few
social
contacts,
difficulties
m
making
relationships
Sandra (25)
Divorced
with
four
children
under
eight,
socially
isolated
Very
quiet,
little
social
activity,
difficulty
in
expressing
feelmgs
Barbara
and
Linda
attended
only
two
sessions
each,
and
dicussion
with
their
probation
officers
after-
wards
revealed
that
they
had
no
wish
to
continue
their
attendance.
The
Meetings
The
group
ran
for
six
weekly
sessions
of
one-
and-a-half
hours,
with
the
possibility
of
a
further
six
sessions
if
wanted/needed
Each
session
had
a
coffee
break
after
the
first
hour
The session was
held
in
a
hired
room,
near
the
office,
because
of
lack
of
suitable
facilities
in
the
office
itself.
Creche
facilities
were
manned
by
two
probation
volunteers,
and
Linda
moved
from
the
group
to
help
with
the
creche
at
her
own
suggestion.
Transport
was
provided
for
the
women
when
it
became
apparent
that
they
had
difficuliries
m
amv-
ing
promptly.
To continue reading
Request your trial