ABSTRACT
Creating and maintaining friendships is an essential developmental task during childhood and adolescence. Children who lack social skills and the ability to use them effectively often fail to develop mutually satisfying peer relationships and are neglected or rejected, whereas more socially competent children are generally happier, have a more positive outlook on life, do better academically, and have fewer emotional problems. A group of 10th-grade boys and girls with friendship difficulties was comprised of four shy and submissive adolescents and two quite externalized girls. Social competence training is most often conducted in a group format. A meta-analysis of social competence training programs. Terry suggested that Miriam was bullied because she was too submissive. Miriam agreed, explaining that she felt weak and was quite frightened. Each participant was asked to select a card that represented the progress she had made in the group.
