Evaluating behavioral skills training with and without simulated in situ training for teaching safety skills to children

This study compared the effectiveness of behavioral skills training (BST) to BST plus simulated in situ training (SIT) for teaching safety skills to children to prevent gun play. The results were evaluated in a posttest only control group design. Following the first assessment, participants in both training groups and the control group who did not use the safety skills received in situ training. Following acquisition of the skills, dyad assessments were conducted in which a peer challenged the participant to play with the gun. The results showed that the training groups did not differ from the control group following training, but that the safety skill scores for the training groups and the control group increased significantly following in situ training. Furthermore, a high percentage of participants across groups used the skills during the dyad assessment.