Abstract

• The main purpose of this research was to investigate the interpersonal skills of high school students in Yamethin Township and to find out significant difference in their interpersonal skills with respect to the gender, grades, school locations, parental jobs and parental education. In this study, the participants were totally 988 (421 males and 567 females) high school students from selected five high schools in Yamethin Township during 2014-15 academic year. Interpersonal Skills Questionnaires were used as an instrument. It includes twelve categories; namely nonverbal communication, reinforcement, questioning, reflecting, opening and closing, explanation, listening, self-disclosure, influencing, assertiveness, group interaction and leadership. Quantitative research design was used in this study. Descriptive analysis and inferential statistical statistics such as independent samples t-test and ANOVA were conducted to analyze the collected data. The participants possessed the moderate level of interpersonal skills. The result of the study also found that there was no significant difference in the interpersonal skills of high school students with respect to their gender, grades and parental jobs. But, significant difference was found in the interpersonal skills of high school students with respect to parental education and school at different locations. Thus, parents play an essential role for the development of interpersonal skills of their children and the parents should make a warm environment which can enhance interpersonal skills level of children to get success in their future lives.