SOCIAL SKILLS TRAINING IN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

ABSTRACT Intervention programs based on Social Skills Training have been researched in different populations, including university students. This study aimed to review the literature about HST programs with university students, published in national and international journals, emphasizing the instruments and designs used, in addition to the main results and limitations, from 1980 onwards. The keywords in English “social skills training”, “undergraduate”, “graduate students” and “higher education” were used in six databases (Capes, ERIC, PHS/RIHS, DOAJ, EBSChost, LILACS, IBICT, WEB OF SCIENCE). Thirteen articles were found and they were analyzed regarding the variables of interest by applying the PRISMA Protocol. The results showed that nine studies used the Social Skills Inventory as the main data collection instrument and had an experimental design. The number of sessions was variable among the interventions and, in all studies, there was an improvement in the social skills repertoire of the research participants. This article contributes to the literature in the area by discussing implications for research and practice in promoting social skills in university education, as well as directions for future research that should consider the concept of social competence.