Human relations training at high school : a preventive programme

This thesis evaluates one technique in the primary preventive approach to mental health. The need for primary prevention is discussed in relation to current manpower shortages in dealings with the rising incidence of psychological disturbances. It is argued that the Human Relations Movement, which is based on humanistic principles and procedures has much to offer in the reduction of student vulnerability to social-emotional disturbances. One programme derived from this movement, the Human Development Programme (H.D.P.) (Bessell and Palomares, 1973) is a group-based technique designed for use with high school students. The short-term effectiveness of this programme in a local high school is assessed in relation to a number of adjustment-related variables: anxiety, self-esteem, peer-rated social competence, classroom dissatisfaction and teacher ratings of maladjustment. The study employs a three-group design with one group receiving the H.D.P. A second group, serving as a placebo condition, receives a comparable group experience to the H.D.P. but excludes as far as possible, affective components, while the third group (no treatment) experiences the normal school routine. The results indicate effectiveness of both the H.D.P. and placebo procedures on two variables, relative to the no treatment condition: peer-rated social competence and teacher-rated maladjustment. Methodological problems associated with the study are considered and suggestions for future developments are made. In particular, the need for longitudinal follow-up studies to assess long-term effects are stressed. It is concluded that the H.D.P. is worthy of further investigation as a high school based primary preventive technique.