Situational determinants of the behavioral assertiveness role-play test for children

The present investigation examined the situational determinants of the Behavioral Assertiveness Test for Children. Forty-six role-played interpersonal situations were administered to 27 hospitalized psychiatric child patients. There were four primary types of role-played scenes that included negative assertion, accepting help, giving compliments, and accepting compliments. Half the scenes employed male and female role-playing partners. Responses were videotaped and rated on six measures of verbal behavior, four measures of nonverbal behavior, and overall assertiveness. Results indicated that interpersonal behavior in assertive situations was significantly different for negative versus positive scenes. Sex of role-play partner was a significant factor in 2 out of 11 analyses.