Effects of behavioral, cognitive, and combined treatments for assertion as a function of differential deficits.

Investigated the interaction of demonstrated knowledge of assertive behavior with treatments for nonassertive behavior to help clarify the interaction of deficits with treatments. 88 female undergraduates were classified as low or high on knowledge of assertive behavior and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 treatment conditions: behavioral rehearsal, cognitive self-statement, combined behavioral rehearsal/cognitive self-statement, and a waiting-list control group. Multiple measures were administered over time (e.g., Conflict Resolution Inventory). Results support the effectiveness of each treatment and the stability of treatment effect over a long-term follow-up but failed to support a differential treatment approach to assertion based on demonstrated knowledge. Behavioral and cognitive treatments seemed to have the greatest effect on measures that were similar to the treatment focus, but also registered effects on measures similar to the other treatment. Treatment groups had significantly higher self-efficacy scores than the controls, and self-efficacy correlated significantly with many dependent variables. (26 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)