Effects of Assertive Training and Cognitive Components of Rational Therapy on Assertive Behaviors and Interpersonal Anxiety

Abstract

The present analogue study investigated the relative efficacy of three treatment conditions (cognitive components of rational therapy, assertive training, and a combined treatment) and two controls (attention and no-contact) on the production of assertive behavior and the reduction of interpersonal anxiety among 51 college students. When compared to the attention control and no-contact control, the results provide partial support for the efficacy of all three treatments in promoting assertion and reducing interpersonal anxiety. The combined treatment was no more effective than assertive training or cognitive rational therapy administered independently. Difficulties in achieving significance because of large within-cell variances were noted.

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