The relationship of social skills as measured by the MESSIER to ruminationin persons with profound mental retardation

Fifty-two persons with profound mental retardation; 26 people with ruminati on and 26 controls were studied. The Matson Evaluation of Social Skills for Individuals with sEvere Retardation (MESSIER) was administered to all subj ects. Groups were compared across each of six subcategories; positive verba l, positive nonverbal, general positive, negative verbal negative nonverbal , and general negative items. Controls scored significantly better on the g eneral positive subscale than persons with rumination, although no differen ces in negative behaviors was noted across groups. Implications of these da ta are discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.