Positive Problem Orientation Research Articles

Is Doubling Up on Positive Future Cognitions Associated with Lower Suicidal Risk in Latinos?: A Look at Hope and Positive Problem Orientation

In the present study, we examined hope and positive problem orientation as additive predictors of suicidal risk, namely, hopelessness and suicide behavior, in a sample of 155 (37 males and 118 females) Latinos. Consistent with expectations, we found hope and positive problem orientation to be associated with lower suicidal risk. In addition, results of conducting hierarchical regression analyses indicated that hope accounted for significant variance in both indices of suicidal risk. Moreover, the inclusion of positive problem orientation as a predictor was found to account for additional unique variance in both indices of suicidal risk, beyond what was accounted for by hope. Finally, results of conducting additional analyses indicated a significant Hope × Positive Problem Orientation interaction effect in accounting for suicidal risk. Some implications of the present findings are discussed.

Association Between Anticipatory Grief and Problem Solving Among Family Caregivers of Persons With Cognitive Impairment

Measure perceived involvement in medical decision making and determine if anticipatory grief is associated with problem solving among family caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment. Retrospective analysis of baseline data from a caregiver intervention (n = 73). Multivariable regression models testing the association between caregivers' anticipatory grief, measured by the Anticipatory Grief Scale (AGS), with problem-solving abilities, measured by the social problem solving inventory-revised: short form (SPSI-R: S). 47/73 (64%) of caregivers reported involvement in medical decision making. Mean AGS was 70.1 (± 14.8) and mean SPSI-R: S was 107.2 (± 11.6). Higher AGS scores were associated with lower positive problem orientation (p = .041) and higher negative problem orientation scores (p = .001) but not other components of problem solving-rational problem solving, avoidance style, and impulsivity/carelessness style. Higher anticipatory grief among family caregivers impaired problem solving, which could have negative consequences for their medical decision making responsibilities.

Relationship of drug-addicted patients’ personality disorders to social problem-solving changes during the rehabilitation process

Background: Drug-addicted patients exhibit various personality disorders that interfere with their adaptation to society, as well as their ability to participate in the rehabilitation process. The Latvian Rehabilitation Programme for drug addicts includes social problem-solving training to help patients reintegrate into society. However, the role of personality disorders has not been investigated in relation to this process. Aims: The aim of the study is to assess whether personality disorders predict changes in dimensions of social problem-solving after 6 months of rehabilitation for drug-addicted patients. Methods: The sample of this study consists of 31 drug-addicted patients from the Latvian rehabilitation centres aged 21–35 (females 21%, males 79%). Two inventories are used: the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised (SPSI-R) and MillonTM Clinical Multiaxial Inventory—III (MCMI-III) adapted into Russian. Results: Results of the study indicated that some MCMI-III personality disorders (Schizoid and Histrionic) negatively predicted SPSI-R Positive problem orientation, and narcissistic disorder positively predicted SPSI-R Avoidance style after 6 months in the Latvian Rehabilitation Programme. The other personality disorders did not predict social problem-solving dimensions. Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that some personality disorders are related to changes in social problem-solving dimensions for drug-addicted patients. Hence, it is important to consider the implications of particular personality disorders to facilitate the implementation of social problem-solving rehabilitation programmes.

El papel de la Inteligencia Emocional en la resolución de problemas sociales en estudiantes adolescentes / The role of Emotional Intelligence in solving social problems in a sample of adolescent’s students

The present study examines the relation between perceived emotional intelligence and solving social problems in a sample of 217 adolescent’s students. The result showed the predictive and incremental validity of IEP in solving social problems controlling for the influence of demographic characteristics (sex and age). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that Emotional Clarity predicted part of the variance of Positive Problem Orientation. Further, Attention to feelings explained part of the variance of the Negative Problem Orientation, Rational Problem Solving and Avoidance Style sub-scales. Finally, Mood Repair still remained significant in predicting Impulsivity-Carelessness Style sub-scales. Therefore, this study analyzed the significant differences in function of gender. The results showed that women used more frequently Negative Problem Orientation strategies than men, while male students used more frequently Positive Problem Orientation, Impulsivity-Carelessness and Avoidance Style compared to female students. Referring to emotional abilities, female students reported higher scores on attention to feelings and mood clarity than their male counterparts. However, male students showed higher scores on mood repair than female students did. These data provide evidence about the potential role of emotional abilities after controlling for gender and age and support the implementation of activities to develop emotional abilities in order to foster the efficacy of programmes oriented to solving social problems in the classroom.

A mediational model of self‐esteem and social problem‐solving in anorexia nervosa

Poor problem-solving and low self-esteem are frequently cited as significant factors in the development and maintenance of anorexia nervosa. The current study examines the multi-dimensional elements of these measures and postulates a model whereby self-esteem mediates the relationship between social problems-solving and anorexic pathology and considers the implications of this pathway. Fifty-five inpatients with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa and 50 non-clinical controls completed three standardised multi-dimensional questionnaires pertaining to social problem-solving, self-esteem and eating pathology. Significant differences were yielded between clinical and non-clinical samples on all measures. Within the clinical group, elements of social problem-solving most significant to anorexic pathology were positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation and avoidance. Components of self-esteem most significant to anorexic pathology were eating, weight and shape concern but not eating restraint. The mediational model was upheld with social problem-solving impacting on anorexic pathology through the existence of low self-esteem. Problem orientation, that is, the cognitive processes of social problem-solving appear to be more significant than problem-solving methods in individuals with anorexia nervosa. Negative perceptions of eating, weight and shape appear to impact on low self-esteem but level of restriction does not. Finally, results indicate that self-esteem is a significant factor in the development and execution of positive or negative social problem-solving in individuals with anorexia nervosa by mediating the relationship between those two variables.

Assessment and treatment of social problem solving in offenders with intellectual disability

In mainstream offender work there has been a significant amount of theory and applied research linking moral development, perspective taking and poor social problem solving to offending. Given that such deficits are likely to feature in offenders with intellectual disability (ID), it is surprising that this research has not spread to the field of ID. Study 1 employed 132 participants in an evaluation of the 25-item short form of the Social Problem Solving Inventory – Revised (SPSI-R). Study 2 describes the development of a social problem solving programme (SPORT) based on established theoretical principles, for use with offenders with ID. The SPSI-R is used to evaluate the progress through the programme of 10 participants. In Study 1 a four-factor solution emerged which corresponded to the five dimensions contained in the SPSI-R. Negative problem orientation, impulsive/careless style and rational style emerged as unitary factors while positive problem orientation and avoidant style loaded on a single factor at opposite poles. In Study 2 participants became less impulsive and more positive in their style and orientation towards social problem solving. The assessment and treatment of social problem solving may be a fruitful addition to general work with offenders with ID. Such programmes should be considered in conjunction with interventions for problems such as sexual and violent offending.

Social problem solving and depression in couples coping with cancer

When one person in a couple has cancer, both members may experience depressive symptoms and may react as an emotional system. However, the variables that influence this depressive system have not been identified. This study examined whether social problem solving, an important moderator of individual cancer-related depression, is related to depression in the couple system. Sixty-three couples with one partner diagnosed with cancer completed self-report questionnaires regarding depressive symptoms, social problem solving, and relationship satisfaction. Multiple regression correlations supported the hypothesis that depression occurs in an emotional system (patient depression predicted partner depression and partner depression predicted patient depression). When examining how partner social problem solving impacts transmission from patient to partner, hierarchical multiple regression demonstrated that one social problem-solving component (positive problem orientation) eliminated the prediction of partner depression by patient depression. No other component of partner social problem solving eliminated the prediction of partner depression by patient depression. Partner social problem solving had no effect on whether partner depression predicted patient depression. Partners with more positive beliefs about solving problems were less likely to experience depression together with the patients. Further investigation into the role of social problem solving in the interpersonal depression system is warranted.

Measuring social problem solving using the Spanish Version for Hispanics of the Social Problem Solving Inventory–Revised.

This study investigated the internal consistency, factor structure, and concurrent validity of the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Spanish Version for Hispanics (SPSI-R-Hispanic), a translation of the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R; D'Zurilla, Nezu & Maydeu-Olivares, 2002), in a North American sample of 325 Spanish speaking Hispanics. The scales of the SPSI-R-Hispanic demonstrated good internal consistency reliability. The hypothesized factor model of the SPSI-R provided a good fit to the data. SPSI-R-Hispanic scores demonstrated concurrent validity in a multiple regression analysis, explaining 32% of incremental variability in psychological well-being scores. Gender differences were replicated, where men had higher positive problem orientation and rational problem solving scores and women had higher negative problem orientation scores.

When the solution is part of the problem: problem solving in elderly suicide attempters

Depression, loss, and physical illness are associated with suicide in the elderly. However, the nature of individual vulnerability remains poorly understood. Poor problem solving has been suggested as a risk factor for suicide in younger adults. Unresolved problems may create an accumulation of stressors. Thus, those with perceived deficits in problem-solving ability may be predisposed to suicidal behavior. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether elderly suicide attempters perceived their problem solving as deficient. Sixty-four individuals aged 60 and older participated in the study including depressed suicide attempters, depressed non-attempters, and non-depressed controls. The social problem solving inventory-revised: short-version was used to measure participants' perceived social problem solving, assessing both adaptive problem-solving dimensions (positive problem orientation and rational problem solving) and dysfunctional dimensions (negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness, and avoidance). Depressed elderly who had attempted suicide perceived their overall problem solving as deficient, compared to non-suicidal depressed and non-depressed elderly. Suicide attempters perceived their problems more negatively and approached them in a more impulsive manner. On rational problem solving and avoidant style sub-scales, suicide attempters did not differ from non-suicidal depressed. However, both depressed groups reported lower rational problem solving and higher avoidance compared to non-depressed controls. A perception of life problems as threatening and unsolvable and an impulsive approach to problem solving appear to predispose vulnerable elderly to suicide attempts.

Social problem-solving among adolescents treated for depression

Studies suggest that deficits in social problem-solving may be associated with increased risk of depression and suicidality in children and adolescents. It is unclear, however, which specific dimensions of social problem-solving are related to depression and suicidality among youth. Moreover, rational problem-solving strategies and problem-solving motivation may moderate or predict change in depression and suicidality among children and adolescents receiving treatment. The effect of social problem-solving on acute treatment outcomes were explored in a randomized controlled trial of 439 clinically depressed adolescents enrolled in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). Measures included the Children's Depression Rating Scale-Revised (CDRS-R), the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire – Grades 7–9 (SIQ-Jr), and the Social Problem-Solving Inventory–Revised (SPSI-R). A random coefficients regression model was conducted to examine main and interaction effects of treatment and SPSI-R subscale scores on outcomes during the 12-week acute treatment stage. Negative problem orientation, positive problem orientation, and avoidant problem-solving style were non-specific predictors of depression severity. In terms of suicidality, avoidant problem-solving style and impulsiveness/carelessness style were predictors, whereas negative problem orientation and positive problem orientation were moderators of treatment outcome. Implications of these findings, limitations, and directions for future research are discussed.

The Influence of Social Problem-Solving Ability on the Relationship Between Daily Stress and Adjustment

This study examined the role of social problem solving as a moderator and a mediator of the relationship between daily stressful events and adjustment in a sample of 259 college students. Problem solving was assessed by the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised, which provides scores for global problem-solving ability as well as five specific problem-solving dimensions, namely, positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving (i.e., effective problem-solving skills), impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style. Adjustment was assessed by using the scores for internalizing symptoms and externalizing symptoms from the Adult Self-Report. Because of significant gender differences on the major study variables, results were analyzed separately for men and women. The most consistent finding was for the importance of negative problem orientation as a moderator or a mediator of the relationship between daily stress and adjustment. In women, negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style were all found to mediate internalizing and externalizing symptoms. In addition, positive problem orientation mediated internalizing symptoms. In men, negative problem orientation was found to be a moderator for externalizing symptoms and a mediator for internalizing symptoms. The gender differences and implications for clinical practice were discussed.

A prediction of self-esteem and life satisfaction by social problem solving

The aim of this study was to determine whether or not social problem solving by university students predicts their self-esteem and life satisfaction. The survey model was adopted and the sample of the study consisted of 405 university students. The results of the study showed that self-esteem and life satisfaction are positively correlated with positive problem orientation and rational problem solving; they are negatively correlated with negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness, and avoidance styles. The results also showed that negative problem orientation, positive problem orientation, and avoidance style significantly predicted self-esteem. In addition, rational problem solving, positive problem orientation, and avoidance style significantly predicted life satisfaction.

The relationship between two‐dimensional self‐esteem and problem solving style in an anorexic inpatient sample

Research examining cognitive and behavioural determinants of anorexia is currently lacking. This has implications for the success of treatment programmes for anorexics, particularly, given the high reported dropout rates. This study examines two-dimensional self-esteem (comprising of self-competence and self-liking) and social problem-solving in an anorexic population and predicts that self-esteem will mediate the relationship between problem-solving and eating pathology by facilitating/inhibiting use of faulty/effective strategies. Twenty-seven anorexic inpatients and 62 controls completed measures of social problem solving and two-dimensional self-esteem. Anorexics scored significantly higher than the non-clinical group on measures of eating pathology, negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness and avoidance and significantly lower on positive problem orientation and both self-esteem components. In the clinical sample, disordered eating correlated significantly with self-competence, negative problem-orientation and avoidance. Associations between disordered eating and problem solving lost significance when self-esteem was controlled in the clinical group only. Self-competence was found to be the main predictor of eating pathology in the clinical sample while self-liking, impulsivity and negative and positive problem orientation were main predictors in the non-clinical sample. Findings support the two-dimensional self-esteem theory with self-competence only being relevant to the anorexic population and support the hypothesis that self-esteem mediates the relationship between disordered eating and problem solving ability in an anorexic sample. Treatment implications include support for programmes emphasising increasing self-appraisal and self-efficacy.

Social Support, Social Problem-Solving Abilities, and Adjustment of Family Caregivers of Stroke Survivors

Grant JS, Elliott TR, Weaver M, Glandon GL, Raper JL, Giger JN. Social support, social problem-solving abilities, and adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors. Objective To determine contributions of social support and social problem-solving abilities in prediction of adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors. Design Descriptive. Setting Two rehabilitation facilities (1 private, 1 state) in the southeastern United States. Participants Fifty-two family caregivers (46 women, 6 men) of stroke survivors (28 women, 24 men). Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures Predictor variables were social support and social problem-solving abilities. Outcome measures of caregiver adjustment were depressive symptomatology, well-being, and general health. Participants completed these measures 1 to 2 days before discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and at 5, 9, and 13 weeks postdischarge in the home. Results Trajectory analysis indicated higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of caregiver depressive symptomatology and higher levels of well-being and general health, independent of social problem solving. A greater negative problem orientation was associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology and lower levels of well-being. A more positive problem orientation was associated with greater increases in general health. The strength or slope of this positive relation lessened over time. Conclusions Social support and the emotion-focused component of social problem solving, problem orientation, independently contribute to caregiver adjustment. Interventions that provide social support and assist caregivers to develop more adaptive abilities toward problem solving may be beneficial.

Gender role, sexual orientation and suicide risk

Background There has been interest in the relationship between homosexuality, gender role and suicide risk. Though homosexuals are more likely to identify as cross-gender, research has not simultaneously examined sexual orientation and gender role in assessing suicide risk. In the current study, the unique and interactive effects of sexual orientation and gender role were assessed in regard to suicidal ideation, related psychopathology and measures of coping. Methods 77 participants were recruited from an undergraduate psychology subject pool ( n = 47) or from gay, lesbian and transgender student organizations ( n = 30) and assessed on measures of gender role, homosexuality, and psychopathology. Results Consistent with expectations, cross-gender role (i.e., personality traits associated with the opposite sex) is a unique predictor of suicidal symptoms. Moreover, gender role accounted for more of the overall variance in suicidal symptoms, positive problem orientation, peer acceptance and support, than sexual orientation. After accounting for gender role, sexual orientation contributed little to the variance in suicidal symptoms, associated pathology and problem-solving deficits. There was no support for gender role by sexual orientation interaction effects. Limitations The cross-sectional nature of the data limits statements regarding causality. Conclusions Cross-gendered individuals, regardless of sexual orientation, appear to have higher risk for suicidal symptoms. Researchers and clinicians should assess gender role in evaluations of youth samples.

Self-esteem and Social Problem Solving as Predictors of Aggression In College Students

This study examined the relations between self-esteem, social problem-solving ability, and aggression in a sample of 205 college students. The Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised was used to measure five different dimensions of social problem-solving ability (viz., positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving, impulsivity/carelessness style, & avoidance style) and the Aggression Questionnaire was used to measure four different dimensions of aggression (viz., physical aggression, verbal aggression, anger, & hostility). Self-esteem and social problem-solving ability were measured at the same time, whereas aggression was measured six to seven weeks later. Low self-esteem was found to be related to anger and hostility, and several specific problem-solving dimensions were found to be related to anger, hostility, and physical aggression. A series of path analyses found support for a mediational model in which the link between self-esteem and anger is fully mediated by negative problem orientation. In addition, the results also suggested that negative problem orientation partially mediates the relationship between self-esteem and hostility. The theoretical, research, and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

‘Stop & Think!’: social problem‐solving therapy with personality‐disordered offenders

AbstractBackgroundIn this paper, the authors describe ‘Stop & Think’ problem‐solving intervention implemented with personality‐disordered males resident on a dedicated personality disorder unit (PDU) within Arnold Lodge, a secure forensic psychiatric unit in Leicester, UK, as part of an integrated, multidisciplinary treatment programme. The problem‐solving approach consists of seven steps: (1) orientation, (2) problem definition, (3) goal setting, (4) generation of alternatives, (5) decision making, (6) action, and (7) evaluation. Efforts to integrate the ‘Stop & Think!’ problem‐solving process with individual and other therapies are described.ResultsUsing the Social Problem‐Solving Inventory‐Revised with 14 PDU patients at three and nine months after the commencement of ‘Stop & Think!’, significant improvements were recorded on all scales and subscales apart from Positive Problem Orientation. Change was maintained at 15 months for eight patients, with no significant further improvement. Recommendations for developments in assessment and treatment are made. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

The relationship between social problem-solving and personality in mentally disordered offenders

Poor social problem-solving skills may account for some criminal behaviours in mentally disordered offenders, and social problem-solving may be mediated by personality traits. We examined the relationship between personality and social problem-solving in 52 mentally disordered offenders, (38 mentally ill and 14 personality disordered) detained in a regional secure unit. Since t-tests indicated no differences between the mentally ill and personality disordered groups, they were pooled into a single sample. Correlations indicated that high neuroticism (N) was related to poor social problem-solving, and high scores on the other five-factor traits were related to good social problem-solving. High N, which is a core feature of personality disorders as well as being a common feature of offenders, may signal emotional reactivity which militates against effective social problem-solving. N is, however, negatively correlated with extraversion (E), conscientiousness (C), and agreeableness (A), therefore partial correlations were conducted controlling for N. Once N is discounted, the main trait associated with problem-solving is openness (O), which is positively related to problem-solving, perhaps due to the relationship of O to intelligence and creativity. A positive correlation between E and a more positive problem orientation remains, perhaps because optimism is a defining feature of high E.

The Relationship Between Work Strategies Used by Informal Caregivers and Care Receivers and Clinical Outcomes

Historically, informal caregiving literature has focused on caregivers' reports of the burden associated with the work of care. Increasingly, however, both care givers and care receivers are beginning to accentuate the positive aspects of care in the home and identify work strategies that work for them. This study sought to examine the relationship between use of three care-related work strategies (delegating, developing competence, and positive problem orientation) and the following two outcome measures: mood disturbance and subjective well-being. Significant correlations were found between usage of each of these strategies and desired outcomes, indicating value in using these strategies. Different conditions of the variables of care receiver functional status, kin relationship, and gender were found to influence the degree of correlation between work strategies and desired outcomes, suggesting the need to individualize implementation of these strategies for each caregiver/care receiver situation.

Social problem-solving deficits and hopelessness, depression, and suicidal risk in college students and psychiatric inpatients

The Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised was used to examine the relations between problem-solving abilities and hopelessness, depression, and suicidal risk in three different samples: undergraduate college students, general psychiatric inpatients, and suicidal psychiatric inpatients. A similar pattern of results was found in both college students and psychiatric patients: a negative problem orientation was most highly correlated with all three criterion variables, followed by either a positive problem orientation or an avoidance problem-solving style. Rational problem-solving skills emerged as an important predictor variable in the suicidal psychiatric sample. Support was found for a prediction model of suicidal risk that includes problem-solving deficits and hopelessness, with partial support being found for including depression in the model as well. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 54: 1091–1107, 1998.