Think aloud statements and solutions of dysphoric persons on a social Problem-Solving task

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to examine the self-statements of dysphoric (n=13) and nondysphoric subjects (n=15) during an interpersonal problem-solving task. After completing the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI; Heppner & Petersen, 1982), subjects were individually shown a brief videotape depicting an interpersonal problem and asked to solve the problem while thinking aloud. Frequencies of five self-statement categories were recorded: task-facilitating, task-inhibiting, emotion-focused, problem-focused, and periods of silence. Although the dysphoric subjects rated themselves more negatively on the PSI with regard to their problem-solving abilities, they were actually able to generate as many, and as effective, solutions as the nondysphoric subjects. During problem solving, however, the dysphoric subjects used fewer problem-focused statements and more emotion-focused statements. The frequencies of task-inhibiting and emotion-focused self-statements correlated negatively with the socially validated score of solution effectiveness.