This research investigated the verbal and non-verbal components of assertive behavior in situations of dealing with criticism of 35 psychotics compared to 35 non-clinical subjects. Two trained judges observed them interacting with trained partners in four negative assertion role-play situations, regarding giving anda receiving criticism, which were videotaped. Types of situations and gender of partners were varied. Results showed a significant deficit of verbal and non-verbal components of assertive behavior in the clinical group. Verbal and non-verbal components correlated significantly. Both groups were more assertive in the situations they were required to criticize their partners compared to situations where they have been criticized. Both groups were more assertive when interacting with male partner, for most of the componentes. These results in general replicated data from others researchers and indicates that brasilian psychiatric patients need to receive assertive training for implementing their social integration.
Assertive behavior; psychotics; social integration; desinstitutionalization; role play
