The Effect of Life-Skill Training on Deprived Region's Adolescents in Summer Camps

This study initially attempts to assess behaviour situation of adolescents who spent their leisure time in summer camps. It also aims to assess the effect of life-skill trainings on their behaviour. The questionnaire of Student Behaviour Disorder (SBD-Rutter scale) was used. The questionnaire’s validity and reliability rated high at a previous investigation. The sample consisted of 86 girls. The students’ behaviours were observed and assessed by their instructors. After pre-test stage they were trained some skills (like problem solving method, decision-making, critical and creative thinking, interpersonal communications, etc.) through undirected trainings such as role playing, brain storming, discussion, working in small groups. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (means, standard deviation, percentage), paired sample test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as parametric tests, and chi squares as non-parametric test. Results showed that mean scores in the first stage was significantly less than the second stage. It means that life-skill instructions caused the behaviour disorder to modify. Also, there was significant difference between educational grades; higher grades had been associated with more behaviour problems than lower grades are fore trainings and after those lower grades changed better than the others. We can conclude that if these instructions are given to younger age-groups, they would affect their behaviour more effectively.