Affiliations: Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: A. Geoffrey Crane, Department of Psychology, Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada. Tel.: +1 705 748 1011; x7935; Fax: 705 748 1580; E-mail: albertcrane@trentu.ca.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:As emotional and social competency training proliferates within a work readiness context, concerns remain regarding their efficacy. Data on these programs tends to be scarce and outcome objectives are often poorly defined. OBJECTIVE:Authors developed and tested a work readiness emotional and social competency program specifically designed for at-risk young adults, tailored with best practices in mind. METHOD:84 clients of a community organization that provides employment support to young adults with disabilities (48 men and 36 women) with a mean age of 28.17 years (SD = 11.64) completed measures of emotional intelligence and alexithymia on either side of the 4-week intervention. RESULTS:Men’s interpersonal scores and women’s adaptability scores showed significant improvement across the intervention. In addition, women’s scores in both identifying and describing feelings improved significantly, as did men’s scores in describing feelings. CONCLUSIONS:Within the context of work readiness, participants in an intervention to improve emotional and social competencies can see key improvements to competencies linked to occupational attainment.
Keywords: Emotional intelligence, adolescent health, work readiness
