Two comprehensive meta-analyses of the SST literature in schizophrenia (Benton & Schroeder, 1990) and severe mental
illness (Dilk & Bond, 1996) were published over 10 years ago. Results of Benton and Schroeder’s (1990) meta-analysis were relatively optimistic, with the authors concluding that effects of SST were large for specific behavioral measures of social skill and for self-reported social anxiety and assertiveness but smaller for measures of community functioning and symptoms. Similarly, Dilk and Bond (1996) reported large effect size changes for
behavioral outcomes directly related to the focus of the SST interventions, such as assertiveness and interpersonal skill, but much smaller effects for improved instrumental role functioning or independent living. However, the authors also identified several significant limitations in research on SST extant at that time, noting that the majority of studies had been conducted in inpatient settings, with largely White, male populations and with training that tended to be brief in duration with limited follow-up.