Effects of in vivo behavioral rehearsal on the learning of assertive behaviors with a substance abusing population

Forty-three residents of a substance abuse treatment center were randomly assigned to (a) Assertiveness Training with Behavioral Practice (ATBP); (b) Assertiveness Training with Journal (ATJ), or (c) Waiting List Control (WLC). Using the Behavioral Assertiveness Test and the Gambrill-Richev Assertion Inventory, subjects in the ATBP group showed greater gains than the ATJ group on one behavioral measure, while both the ATBP and ATJ groups changed more than the WLC group on the Gambrill-Richey Response Likelihood scale. Behavioral rehearsal (homework compliance) was not consistently related to outcome, calling into question the value of the widespread use of homework assignments in behavioral treatments.