| Abstract: | The purpose of this research was to understand the relational communication patterns that characterize school-based prereferral intervention teams (PITs). Fifteen PIT meetings were used as the basis for analyses, with each meeting audiotaped, transcribed, and coded using the Family Relational Communication Control Coding System (Heatherington & Friedlander, 1987 Heatherington, L. and Friedlander, M. L. 1987. Family relational communication control coding system manual. (Available from Laurie Heatherington, Psychology Department, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267.) Google Scholar]). Additionally, the PIT Meeting Evaluation Coding Form was used to assess each meeting's adherence to a traditional problem-solving framework. Important results included (a) relatively consistent domineeringness (i.e., attempted influence) scores across participants, with the exception of the referring teacher; (b) relatively consistent dominance (i.e., successful influence) scores across participants; (c) significantly greater (p < .05) domineeringness displayed by the school psychologist compared with the referring teacher; and (d) no significant differences in dominance scores between the school psychologist and teacher. In sum, this study represents an important first step in understanding communication patterns found in school-based problem-solving groups. |
