This study aims to determine the effect of the Assertiveness Training Program on the Coping Skills of the Abused Female Adolescents in Marillac Hills Crisis Center for Children in Alabang, Muntinlupa City, Philippines. Thirty abused female adolescents randomly assigned to the experimental and control group.  The design used in this study was an experimental design of Pretest Posttest control group design that allowed a comparison between the experimental and control group in terms of their pretest and posttest scores as measured by the A-COPE (Adolescent Coping Orientation for Problem Experiences).  The Assertiveness Training Program (ATP) devised by the author (of eleven modules in twenty-two sessions) was applied to the experimental group for one and a half month.           

Findings revealed that a significant difference was found between the pretest and posttest of the experimental group signifying that Assertiveness Training Program was effective in causing a change in the Coping Skills of Abused Female Adolescents.

Keywords: Assertiveness Training Program, Coping Skills, Abused Female Adolescents.

1. Books
2. Alberti, R.E., Emmons M.L., Your Perfect Right: A Guide to Assertive Behavior (20^th Edition, Impact Press, San Luis Obispo, CA, 1992).
3. Alberti & Emmons., Your Perfect Right. Assertiveness and Equality inYour Life and Relationships (18^th Edition, Impact Publishers, Alascadero, LA, USA, 2001).
4. Bower, S. Anthony and Bower, Gordon H., Asserting Yourself, A Practical Guide for Positive Change (1976). 4.
5. Burger, J., Personality (Thomas Learning, Wadsworth CA, 2000).
6. Chen, S.R., 1995. The Effect of Assertion on Assertiveness and Personality Trait. Unpublished Thesis. University of National Taiwan Normal, Taipei.
7. Dawley, Harold Jr. H., Achieving Assertive Behavior (Brooks Cole Publishing Company Inc. 1995).
8. DeLongis, A. & Newth, S., Assessment & Therapy. Coping with Stress. Specialty Articles from the Encyclopedia of Mental Health.(Academic Press San Diego, CA., USA 2001).
9. Formaran, Susan G. Coping Skills Interventions for Children and Adolescents. (Jossey- Bass Incorporation San Francisco. 1993).
10. Fensterheim, H. & Baer, Jr. Don’t Say Yes When You Want to Say No. New York: David  McKay Co. Inc. 1975.
11. Lange A., S. Kakubowski, P., Reponsible Assertive Behavior.Champaign III. Research Press, 1976.71
12. Sue, David et. al. Essentials of Understanding Abnormal Behavior. Houghton Mifflin Company. USA. 2005. 350-351.
13. Willis, Liz &Daisley, Jenny.,The Assertive Trainer. (McGraw-Hill Book Company Europe 1995).
14. Whurr Publisher Limited., Promoting health through Creativity for Professionals. (PA, USA 2005). 9.

1. Published/Unpublished Journals/Thesis
2. Baggs K., Spence, S. H., 1990. Effectiveness of Booster Sessions in the Maintenance and Enhancement of Treatment Gains Following Assertion Training.Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.Vol 58. No.6. 845-854.
3. Brecklin, Leanne R., 2008. Evaluation Outcomes of Self-Defense Training for Women: A review. Aggression and Violent Behavior. Vol. 13, Issue 1 Jan.- Feb. 60-67.
4. Briones, Ma. Agnes C. (2007). Assertiveness, Hardiness and Coping Style in Relation to the Socio-demographic Profile of Abused adolescents: A Basis for a Proposed Rehabilitation  MA Clinical Psychology University of Santo Tomas.
5. Buback, Debra III RN, 2004. Assertiveness Training to Prevent verbal Abuse in the Operating Room.AORN Vol 79, Issue 1 Jan. 147-164.
6. Butler, Pamela. Spring1992. Assertiveness Training: Teaching Women             not to  Discriminate against Themselves. Psychotherapy: Theory,    Research and Practice Vol. 13 (1). 56-60.
7. Gallion, B.H., 1984. The effects of Instructional and Performance-based Assertiveness Training on Nonassertive and Anxious performer subjects. Dissertation Abstract    International 44 (9-B). 2892.
8. Glueckauf, Robert L., Quitness, Alexandra L., 1992. Assertiveness Training for Disabled.Adults in wheelchairs: Self-Report, Role-Play and Activity Pattern Outcomes. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Vol. 60, Issue 3. June. 419-425.
9. Korsgard, M.A., Roberson L. &Rymph R.D., 1998. What Motivates Fairness? The Role of Subordinate Assertive Behavior on Manager’s Interactional Fairness.  Journal of Applied Psychology.Vol 83.No. 5.731-744.
10. Lange, A.J.; Jakubowski, P., 1976. Responsible assertive Behavior. Research Press, Champaign, IL.
11. Lardirzabal, M.G., 2001. Assessment of a Cooperative- Creative Program of Assertive Behavior and Self-Concept.Spanish Journal of Psychology.Vol. 2 No. 1.3-10.
12. Lee S., &Crochett, M.S., 1994. Effect of Assertiveness Training on Levels of Stress and Assertiveness Experienced by Nurses in Taiwan, Republic of China. Issues in Mental Health Nursing.Vol 15 No.4.419-432.
13. Meyer, M.M., 1991. The Effects of Assertion Training on Assertive Behaviors, Self- Acceptance, Self-Concept and Locus of Control, Dissertation Abstract International 52  (4-B). 2331.
14. Morgan, Brenda and Leung, Paul. 1980. Effects of Assertion Training on Acceptance of Disability by Physically Abused University Students. Journal of  Counseling Psychology. Vol.27, Issue 2.March.209-212
15. Myers, Mary B., Templer, Donald I., Brown, Ric. 1984. Coping Ability in Women  who become Victims of Rape. Journal of Consulting   and Clinical Psychology. Vol 52, Issue 1, February.73-78.
16. Pfost, K.S., Stevens, M.J., Parker, J.C. & Mc Gowan, J.F., 1992. The Influence of Assertion Training on Three Aspects ofAssertiveness in Alcoholics. Journal of Clinical Psychology Vol. 48 No.12.262-268.
17. Santiago, Maureen V. (2004). The Adjustment Problems and Coping Strategies of First Year High School Students with Separated Parents: Basis for a Proposed PsychologicalIntervention Program.MA Psychology.University Of Santo Tomas.
18. Sharon, R. A., 1997. Assertion Training Therapy in Psychiatric Milleus. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing.Vol 11 No. 1.46-51.
19. Weinhard, L.S., Carey, M.P., Carey, K.B. &Verdecias, R.N., 1998. Increasing Assertiveness Skills to Reduce HIV Risk among Women with a Severe and Persistent Mental Illness. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.Vol 66 No. 4.660-684.
20. Weston& Went, F., 1999. Speaking Up for Yourself: Description And Evaluation of Assertiveness Training Group for People with Learning disabilities, British Journal Disabilities, 27.110-115.
21. Wise K.L., Bundy, K.A., Bundy, E.A. & Wise, L.A., 1991. Social Skills Training for Young Adolescents. Vol. 26.No. 101. 233-241. cited by Scopus.
22. Yen, Ru- Lin, I –Shin Shiah. Yu-Cune Chang et.al. 2004. Nurse Education Today. Vol. 24. Issue No. 4. 656-665.

III. Other Materials

1. A Collection of Pope John Paul II’s Messages to the Youth, DSF 1994; Pasay City A Booklet.

Sister Gracia T. Gegajo, DSFS (PhD Cand.)

University of Santo Tomas, Espana Manila, Philippines