Strengthening Interpersonal Communication Skills Using Assertive Training Techniques in Group Guidance of Students

Abstract

Humans as social beings cannot be separated from interaction. The method used is by communicating. Along with the development of the era, students are required to have superior character provisions for their future. Interpersonal communication can be used as a provision for students' character in fulfilling their development process and having the ability to establish positive relationships in their social environment. In adolescence, students experience interpersonal communication problems. Efforts that can be made to help students build interpersonal communication are by applying assertiveness skills. By having assertiveness skills, students can overcome interpersonal, emotional problems, and make decisions in managing their lives and carry out appropriate behavior. The purpose of writing this article is (1) to describe the urgency of interpersonal communication skills and assertiveness training for students; (2) the urgency of assertiveness training in students' interpersonal communication; (3) to find the configuration of assertiveness training techniques in guidance and counseling services; (4) to construct group guidance with assertiveness training techniques in improving students' interpersonal communication skills. The results of the study obtained were then used in formulating the concept of implementing group guidance with assertiveness training techniques to help students' communication skills according to their developmental stage. The research method used is a literature review using 15 appropriate articles. Based on the results of the literature review obtained, it is concluded that group guidance with assertive training techniques can help students overcome problems in their developmental stages, namely the ability to communicate to build social relationships according to the developmental stage of adolescence. Suggestions for further research are to conduct research with an experimental model to test the effectiveness of assertive training techniques on students' communication skills.