The Effect of Social Skills Training in Visually Impaired Adolescents

The aim of our study is to examine the effects of eight sessions of online social skills training given to visually impaired adolescents on social skills, self-efficacy, social phobia and social integration. Forty visually impaired adolescents between the ages of 13 and 19 participated in the study. Participants were divided into control and training groups. 20 adolescents were included in the education program. All participants included in the study were evaluated using the Sociodemographic Information Form, Social Skills Assessment Scale for Children, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Child and Adolescent Social Phobia Scale, and Social Integration Questionnaire.

Our study was planned to see the effect of social skills training applied to visually impaired adolescents on self-efficacy, social phobia, and social integration.

1. Inclusion Criteria:

   * Being between the ages of 13-19
   * Being visually impaired according to the health board report
   * Volunteering to participate in the study
2. Exclusion Criteria:

   * Any diagnosis or disability other than visual impairment.
   * Not understanding what you read in Turkish and what is said
   * Getting a score of ˂23 according to the Modified Mini Mental Evaluation Scale Method: In the study, a control group of 20 people and an intervention group of 20 people were formed. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were included in the sample pool by informing them about the research. Adolescents in the training group were given 8 sessions of "Social Skills Training", while the control group was informed about general social skills in 1 session. At the end of the training, a final evaluation was made for both groups. Initial and final assessments were made face-to-face. The training was held via Zoom.

Training Plan: The training is planned in 8 sessions. During this 4-week period, 2 sessions will be held each week. The training, which will be held via Zoom, will be carried out as a group or individual application. The first session will be four basic skills, the second session will be communication skills, the third session will be assertiveness skills, the fourth session will be conflict management skills, the fifth session will be social life skills, the sixth session will be flirting friendship skills, the seventh session will be health maintenance skills. The eighth session will be about professional/work skills.

Session 1: Four Basic Skills: Listening to others, making requests, expressing positive emotions, making requests.

Session 2: Communication Skills Session 3: Assertive Skills: Refusing requests, making complaints, responding to complaints, etc.

Session 4: Conflict Management Skills Session 5: Social Life Skills Session 6: Dating and Flirting Skills Session 7: Health Maintenance Skills: Making a doctor's appointment by phone, asking about medications, asking about health-related issues, etc.

Session 8: Professional/Work Skills: Conducting job interviews, asking for feedback on job performance, etc.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Being between the ages of 13-19
* Being visually impaired according to the health board report
* Volunteering to participate in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

* Any diagnosis other than visual impairment, presence of a disabled person
* Not understanding what you read in Turkish and what is said
* Getting a score of ˂23 according to the Modified Mini Mental Evaluation Scale