Abstract

ISAZA VALENCIA, LAURA  and  HENAO LOPEZ, GLORIA CECILIA. THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOCIAL FAMILY CLIMATE AND SOCIAL SKILLS PERFORMANCE IN BOYS AND GIRLS BETWEEN TWO AND THREE YEARS OF AGE. Act.Colom.Psicol. [online]. 2011, vol.14, n.1, pp. 19-30. ISSN 0123-9155.

This research aimed to study the social climate of a group of families and its relationship with social skills performance of 108 children between the ages of two and three. Social climate was assessed from three dimensions: relationships, development and stability; and social development through six social codes. The research was descriptive correlational. In order to assess the family social climate, the Social Climate Scale was used; and to assess social skills, the Social Skills Questionnaire was administered. Results showed that cohesive families, those with a democratic trend characterized by allowing communication spaces, using expressions of affection and managing clear standards generate a wide repertoire of social skills; whereas families with a disciplined structure, characterized by authoritarian actions of the parents, are associated with lower levels of social performance in boys and girls. A similar situation was evidenced in families with a structure without orientation, characterized by the limited amount of clear standards and a high expression of affection and satisfaction of their sons and daughters' desires.

Keywords : family context; family social climate; social skills.