Evaluating Interpersonal Skills Training for Public Welfare Staff

A week-long in-service training session focused on improving interpersonal helping skills for 116 public welfare staff. The program was evaluated to assess changes in participants' knowledge, skill mastery, and self-perceptions. Results indicate statistically significant gains on use of attending behaviors, reflections, and a global rating of empathy, respect, and genuineness. Discussion centers on the practical significance of the small gains noted and on the need for further research to establish threshold time periods and appropriate instructional strategies necessary for substantial skill gains.