Social Competence Training for Adolescents With Borderline Intellectual Functioning

A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Social Competence Group Training for Adolescents With Borderline Intellectual Functioning

Emotional and behavioural problems as well as a lack of social competence are supposed to be common phenomena in adolescents with borderline intellectual functioning, consequently impairing their social and vocational integration. Considering the lack of evaluated group interventions for this population, a cognitive-behavioural training is developed and its effectiveness is examined in a population of students attending special vocational schools.

77 adolescents with borderline intelligence are enrolled participated in the study. They are randomized either to the intervention group, who received 9 group sessions over a period of 3 months additionally to the standard vocational training (Social Competence Training for Adolescents with Borderline Intelligence, SCT-ABI) or to the control group who received only the standard vocational training. Outcome measures at the end of the intervention and at a 6-months follow-up assessment comprise self-reports, caregiver-reports, and behavioural observations of cognitive, emotional, and behavioural factors of social competence.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age 16 - 23 years
• participating in special vocational training program
• elevated scores in a screening measure of behavioral/emotional disorders (CBCL or YSR T>59)

Exclusion Criteria:

• major psychiatric disorder (psychosis, major depression, substance abuse)