Problem-solving Style Research Articles

Building effective student project teams: what has problem-solving styles got to do with it?

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine if team composition based on adaption-innovation (A-I) problem-solving styles is related to the teamwork quality and team effectiveness (TE) of student project teams participating in a [state-gifted program (SGP)].Design/methodology/approachA correlational design was conducted with a sample of 72 (SGP) participants, consisting of 15 project teams (n = 15), which formed three groups: (1) the homogeneous adaptive group, which consists of five homogeneous adaptive teams (n = 5); (2) the homogeneous innovative group, which consists of five homogeneous innovative teams (n = 5), and (3) the heterogeneous group (i.e. a mix of innovative and adaptive individuals), which consists of five heterogeneous teams (n = 5).FindingsA one-way ANOVA and post-hoc test revealed that team composition based on problem-solving styles is related to teamwork quality and TE. Regarding TE, both homogeneous groups (i.e. all adaptive or all innovative individuals) were more effective than the heterogeneous group. However, regarding teamwork quality, only the adaptive group had significantly higher teamwork quality than the heterogeneous group.Practical implicationsWe recommend that leadership educators utilize Kirton’s adaption-innovation inventory (KAI) as a tool for building effective student project teams. KAI can be used by leadership educators in two major ways: to assign students to groups (as done in the current study) or for team building, where team members share their KAI scores to better understand their problem-solving preferences.Originality/valueThe findings add to the literature by specifying the type of homogeneous groups (i.e. homogeneous adaptive), which may offer an advantage over heterogeneous groups regarding teamwork quality.

The association of spontaneous self-affirmation with relationship functioning

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with better functioning in romantic relationships. For this aim, we conducted a pre-registered study with 335 participants (168 women, 164 men, one trans woman, one non-binary, and one genderqueer woman) cohabiting with their partner for at least one year. Participants responded to scales measuring spontaneous self-affirmation, relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, conflict frequency, conflict resolution styles, and attachment anxiety and avoidance. Results indicated that spontaneous self-affirmation is significantly related to relationship satisfaction, commitment, intimacy, and constructive conflict resolution style of positive problem solving but not conflict frequency and destructive conflict resolution styles (i.e., conflict engagement, withdrawal, and compliance) after controlling for age, education, financial status, and the number of children. Results also showed that spontaneous self-affirmation is associated with relationship satisfaction (but no other indicators of relationship functioning) after controlling for the attachment dimensions of anxiety and avoidance. These results provide the first evidence indicating that spontaneous self-affirmation could be a potential resource for a satisfying relationship but its shared variance with attachment is mostly responsible for its association with relationship functioning indicators.

Psychological distress and coping skills used by individuals in the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Psychological distress, as a key indicator, describes a person's emotional problems and psychological reactions to adapt to the environment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between psychological distress and coping strategies used by individuals during the crisis caused by COVID-19. The current research is an analytical cross-sectional study that was designed in 2021. The sampling area included the three cities of Lar, Gerash, and Evaz in the south of Fars province in the south of Iran. The study population was the residents of these three cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. The final sample size in the present study was 384 people. Individuals were selected through available sampling. By answering questions from the self-assessment system of COVID-19 disease, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education filled out the necessary information for individual screening and registration of the symptoms of COVID-19 disease. Then, they completed the Coping Methods Questionnaire and the Psychological Distress Questionnaire. The mean age of the participants was 40.90 years. One hundred sixty-seven (43.5%) participants were male, and 217 (56.5%) were female. The mean score of problem-oriented coping style was significantly different between the levels of education (P = 0.001). The mean score of problem-solving coping style for the participants suspected of being infected with COVID-19 was 6.18 scores lower than others, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Multiple regression with a forward selection also showed that among the studied variables, age, problem-oriented, and emotion-oriented coping strategies were important variables affecting mental distress. People who were not suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms had a higher mean problem-oriented coping score than those who were suspected of having COVID-19. Therefore, early identification of suspects and the implementation of counseling and training programs can be very effective.

A comparative analysis of burden of care and coping styles between wives of monosubstance- and polysubstance-dependent men

ABSTRACT Background: Polysubstance dependence has emerged as a clinically distinct entity from monosubstance dependence, yet its impact on patients’ wives is understudied. Wives of substance-dependent men face a tremendous burden in their social lives, leading to faulty coping and burden of care. Comparative studies between monosubstances and polysubstances are lacking. Aims: This study compared the burden of care and coping styles between wives of monosubstance- and polysubstance-dependent men. Materials and Methods: A comparative analysis was performed between wives of 70 monosubstance-dependent and 70 polysubstance-dependent patients. The burden of care was assessed by the Burden Assessment Schedule (BAS), whereas coping styles were assessed using the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief COPE) Inventory. Results: Both groups faced a moderate burden of care, which was significantly higher in wives of polysubstance abusers as compared to monosubstance abusers (U = 366.50, P < 0.01). The difference was mainly seen in their impact on well-being and relationships with others. Avoidant coping was significantly higher in wives of polysubstance abusers (U = 341.00, P < 0.01), whereas emotion-focused and problem-solving coping styles were equally represented. Avoidant and problem-solving coping styles positively correlated with the burden of care (P < 0.01). Conclusion: The burden of care and avoidant coping strategies are higher in wives of polysubstance-dependent men. An increased burden of care is associated with increased use of both avoidant coping and problem-solving coping.

Measuring User Experience Inclusivity in Human-AI Interaction via Five User Problem-Solving Styles

Motivations: Recent research has emerged on generally how to improve AI products’ Human-AI Interaction (HAI) User Experience (UX), but relatively little is known about HAI-UX inclusivity. For example, what kinds of users are supported, and who are left out? What product changes would make it more inclusive? Objectives: To help fill this gap, we present an approach to measuring what kinds of diverse users an AI product leaves out and how to act upon that knowledge. To bring actionability to the results, the approach focuses on users’ problem-solving diversity. Thus, our specific objectives were: (1) to show how the measure can reveal which participants with diverse problem-solving styles were left behind in a set of AI products; and (2) to relate participants’ problem-solving diversity to their demographic diversity, specifically gender and age. Methods: We performed 18 experiments, discarding two that failed manipulation checks. Each experiment was a 2x2 factorial experiment with online participants, comparing two AI products: one deliberately violating one of 18 HAI guideline and the other applying the same guideline. For our first objective, we used our measure to analyze how much each AI product gained/lost HAI-UX inclusivity compared to its counterpart, where inclusivity meant supportiveness to participants with particular problem-solving styles. For our second objective, we analyzed how participants’ problem-solving styles aligned with their gender identities and ages. Results & Implications: Participants’ diverse problem-solving styles revealed six types of inclusivity results: (1) the AI products that followed an HAI guideline were almost always more inclusive across diversity of problem-solving styles than the products that did not follow that guideline—but “who” got most of the inclusivity varied widely by guideline and by problem-solving style; (2) when an AI product had risk implications, four variables’ values varied in tandem: participants’ feelings of control, their (lack of) suspicion, their trust in the product, and their certainty while using the product; (3) the more control an AI product offered users, the more inclusive it was; (4) whether an AI product was learning from “my” data or other people’s affected how inclusive that product was; (5) participants’ problem-solving styles skewed differently by gender and age group; and (6) almost all of the results suggested actions that HAI practitioners could take to improve their products’ inclusivity further. Together, these results suggest that a key to improving the demographic inclusivity of an AI product (e.g., across a wide range of genders, ages, etc.) can often be obtained by improving the product’s support of diverse problem-solving styles.

Adult Attachment Styles and Conflict Resolution Strategies Among Romantic Relationships

Abstract: To assess the relationship between Adult attachment styles and Conflict resolution strategies among romantic relationships, a correlational design was used. Responses were collected from 121 individuals, out of which 113 responses were selected and the rest 8 responses had to be eliminated due to not meeting the cut-off scores. Conflict Resolution Inventory-Self Version (CRSI-Self) scale and 36-item Experience in Close Relationships-Revised Questionnaire (ECR – RQ) scale were used. To analyze the collected data, Spearman Correlation and Mann Whitney U-test was used. The results showed significant differences between the two groups in avoidant attachment styles and acceptance styles in conflict resolution strategies. The study found a positive relationship between anxious attachment style and conflict engagement, self-protection, and acceptance, while a weak negative relationship existed between anxious and positive problem-solving styles. K

VIEW: An Assessment of Problem-Solving Style - 20 Years of Progress.

While the ability to solve complex problems creatively is among the most important skills for contemporary jobs, understanding individual differences how people prefer to engage in individual or collaborative problem-solving becomes increasingly important. VIEW an assessment of problem-solving style has been specifically designed to measure these preferences at the intersection of creativity and problem-solving. This article summarizes the progress that has been made in the past twenty years of research since the instrument was launched. The available evidence shows that the instrument meets contemporary standards of reliability and validity justifying its application in research and practice. Looking ahead, we conclude with promising areas for further developing the assessment and future research on problem-solving styles that addresses emerging phenomena such as collaborating across hybrid work environments or using artificial intelligence tools.

Social Axioms and Problem-Solving Styles in an Institutional Environment

What are social axioms and problem-solving styles, and how do they fit in the professional environment of higher education? The research seeks an answer to the question in a sample of 34 university lecturers using a shortened and an easier-to-use version of SAS test and Kirton KAI Inventory for the styles. Verification in the environment of SPSS 23 shows a uniform distribution and high values of Cronbach’s reliability coefficient. The axioms Effort-Reward and Social Complexity are leading for the respondents. Efficiency and Conformity are the leading decision-making styles. The values of the subscales Originality, Effort- Reward and Social Complexity are below 0.7. No correlation has been found between the professional experience of the researched subjects and the studied social axioms and problem-solving styles. A partial one has the university position in one of the styles and two structural components of the social axioms. Only in one case ANOVA confirms the hypothesis of a correlation between the social axioms’ subscales and problem-solving styles (Destiny Control-Conformity). Social axioms and preferred problem-solving styles appear to show some flexibility. Their leading components satisfactorily fit into the conditions of the professional activity of the studied lecturers.

Empathy as a determinant of perceived stress and styles of coping with stress in medical, law and psychology students

Empathy is an important part of the work of helping another person, but sometimes this work is exhausing and beyond the resources of the helper-especially when the helper does not choose a problem-solving style of coping with stress. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between empathy and perceived stress and coping styles in stressful situations among students from selected fields of study.A total of 90 students participated in the survey: this included 30 fifth-year students each from three fields of study - medical, law and psychology. They were mostly aged 23-25 and represented in greater numbers by women (65.6%). The Emotional-Cognitive Empathy Questionnaire (EEP) - by Wilczek-Rużyczka (2017), the PSS-10 test – Perceived Stress Scale in its Polish adaptation by Juczyński and Ogińska-Bulik (2009), the Questionnaire of Coping in Stressful Situations (CISS) in its Polish adaptation by Strelau et al. (2005) and the author's socio-demographic questionnaire were used as research tools.The regression analysis conducted showed that as the level of cognitive empathy increases, the level of stress will significantly decrease. A relationship was found between cognitive empathy and task-focused coping style. The students studied showed significant differences in their levels of empathy and perceived stress depending on their field of study: law students were characterized by lower empathy and higher stress compared to those in the medical and psychology fields.In contrast, no differences were found between students from different fields of study in terms of their choice of stress-focused coping style.Correlation analysis showed a significant opposite relationship between empathy and perceived stress, and differences were found in the level of empathy and the level of stress in students depending on their field of study. The obtained results indicate the necessity of empathy training in groups of students, which, as the obtained results and numerous scientific reports indicate, has a protective character, therein reducing stress and professional burnout levels.

Social problem-solving in intimate partner violence victims: Exploring the relative contributions of shame and PTSD symptoms.

This study examined the contributions of shame and posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) symptoms to two dimensions of social problem-solving. A sample of 426 women who were seeking mental health assistance following experiences of intimate partner violencecompleted self-report and clinician measures. Separate path analyses were conducted for problem orientation and problem-solving styles. In the model examining problem orientation, higher levels of shame were significantly associated with lower levels of positive problem orientation (f2 = 0.32) and higher levels of negative problem orientation (f2 = 0.92), with large effects noted. PTSD symptoms were significantly, positively associated with negative problem orientation (f2 = 0.3, large effect). When examining problem-solving styles, shame showed a significant negative association with rational style (f2 = 0.08, small effect) and significant positive associations with impulsive style (f2 = 0.45, large effect) and avoidant style (f2 = 0.48, large effect). PTSD symptoms did not return significant associations with any of the three problem-solving styles. Results indicate that shame holds notable associations with both dimensions of social problem-solving, relative to PTSD symptoms, and are discussed in light of current models of post-trauma functioning. Implications for clinical care and early intervention efforts are highlighted.

Remote Delivery of the Cuidándome Telehealth Intervention for Self-Management of Depression and Anxiety Among Latina Immigrant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Growing evidence suggests that Latina immigrant survivors of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are at increased risk for developing and remaining with either depression or anxiety or both symptoms. This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth intervention-Cuidándome (quee-DAN-doh-meh, "taking care of myself"). Cuidándome is a 10-week, patient-centered, trauma-informed intervention delivered by a trained facilitator that promotes self-management of depression and anxiety symptoms through improved problem-solving skills and strategies. The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of Cuidándome delivered remotely (via Zoom) with Latina immigrant ACE survivors with either depression or anxiety or both symptoms. We also estimated the effect sizes associated with the intervention on decreasing depression and anxiety symptoms and improving social problem-solving styles. We evaluated Cuidándome using a randomized controlled trial design. Latina immigrants (N=47) who had experienced at least 1 ACE and had at least mild depression or anxiety symptoms were randomized to Cuidándome or a comparison group delivered by trained facilitators. We assessed for changes in depression and anxiety symptoms as well as social problem-solving styles at baseline, post intervention, and 3- and 6-month follow-up. Analyses indicated significant decreases over time within both Cuidándome and comparison groups for depression and anxiety symptoms and maladaptive problem-solving. The intervention effect was largest for anxiety; at 6-month follow-up, Cuidándome participants had significantly lower anxiety scores than the comparison group. In addition, we observed a greater average point reduction in depression symptoms at 6 months among Cuidándome participants (5.7 points) than in the comparison group (3.7 points). A mental health program delivered via Zoom by a trained facilitator was feasible and acceptable to Latina immigrant women and can be beneficial for reducing anxiety and depression symptoms. More research is needed to assess the effectiveness of Cuidándome among a powered sample size of Latina immigrants. ISRCTN Registry ISRCTN16668518; https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN16668518.

Comparing the Effectiveness of Problem-Solving Skills Training Based on Tolman's and Bandura's Theories on Adolescent Girls' Problem-Solving Styles

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of problem-solving skills training based on the theories of Tolman and Bandura on the problem-solving styles of middle school students. Methods: The research method was quasi-experimental. The population consisted of all female first-year middle school students in Hamadan, with a sample size of 75 students (three groups of 25), selected through multi-stage cluster sampling. The D'Zurilla, Nezu, and Maydeu-Olivares problem-solving questionnaire (2000) was used for data collection. Problem-solving training sessions based on Tolman's theory followed a protocol provided by Tolman (1932), and those based on Bandura's theory followed a protocol by Bandura (1999), conducted over eight 60-minute weekly sessions for two months. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and the Scheffé post hoc test. Findings: There were differences in the impact of training based on these theories on students' problem-solving styles (P < .01). Training based on Tolman's theory was more effective in reducing the use of negative and impulsive problem-solving styles compared to training based on Bandura's theory (P < .01). Conclusion: These trainings increased the use of positive and logical orientation styles and decreased the use of negative, avoidant, and impulsive styles among students.

Structural Model Presentation for Readiness to Change Based on Achievement Motivation and Psychological Capital with Problem-Solving Mediation in Islamic Azad University of Roudehen Students

Objective: The current research aimed to present a structural model for readiness to change based on achievement motivation and psychological capital with problem-solving mediation in students of Islamic Azad University, Roudehen. Methods and Materials: The research method was correlational using structural equation modeling, and the population included all undergraduate students at Islamic Azad University, Roudehen branch, in the academic year 2022-2023. The sample size comprised 220 individuals selected via multi-stage cluster random sampling and responded to the Readiness for Change Questionnaire by Sloo (2006), Hermans' Achievement Motivation (1970), and Cassidy and Long's (1996) Problem-Solving Styles questionnaire. Findings: The findings from the structural equation modeling using AMOS software indicated that the structural model of the study fits the collected data. Moreover, achievement motivation positively and significantly predicts readiness for change in students. Psychological capital also predicts readiness for change positively and significantly in students. Adaptive problem-solving strategies positively and maladaptive strategies negatively and significantly predict readiness for change in students. Conclusion: Both adaptive and maladaptive problem-solving strategies significantly mediate the relationship between achievement motivation and readiness for change, as well as between psychological capital and readiness for change in students.

CONCORDANCE IN SPOUSES’ INTENTION TO MOVE AFTER RETIREMENT AMONG KOREAN MIDDLE-AGED COUPLES

Abstract Midlife adults often envision life after retirement and start planning for retirement, forming their own expectations of where they live after retirement. Migration after retirement is an important decision in that physical and social environments of housing and communities affect health and well-being in later life. Research has emphasized that moving decisions are made at the household level, but less is known about whether middle-aged couples are concordant in their desire to move after retirement and whether concordant desires are associated with couples’ marital characteristics, such as marital satisfaction, dyadic coping styles, and communication. We analyzed a sample of 1,285 middle-aged couples (age 49–64) from the 2012 Korean Baby Boomer Panel Study and Korean Forgotten Generation Study. The majority of couples (83%) were concordant in their moving desires—by either agreeing to move (29%) or to stay (54%), whereas 17% of couples were not in agreement—either only husband desires to move (9%) or only wife desires to move (8%). Logistic/multinomial regression results showed that couples who had a communal problem-solving style and where the wife perceived higher marital satisfaction were more likely to be concordant in their moving desires (i.e., agreeing to move or to stay), after controlling for other individual and family characteristics. Further, couples were more likely to agree to move—when they had discussion about life after retirement and shared individual stress between spouses. Our findings suggest the importance of marital dynamics in understanding concordance in spouses’ desire to move after retirement.

Lifelong learning of cognitive styles for physical problem-solving: The effect of embodied experience

‘Embodied cognition’ suggests that our bodily experiences broadly shape our cognitive capabilities. We study how embodied experience affects the abstract physical problem-solving styles people use in a virtual task where embodiment does not affect action capabilities. We compare how groups with different embodied experience – 25 children and 35 adults with congenital limb differences versus 45 children and 40 adults born with two hands – perform this task, and find that while there is no difference in overall competence, the groups use different cognitive styles to find solutions. People born with limb differences think more before acting but take fewer attempts to reach solutions. Conversely, development affects the particular actions children use, as well as their persistence with their current strategy. Our findings suggest that while development alters action choices and persistence, differences in embodied experience drive changes in the acquisition of cognitive styles for balancing acting with thinking.

The Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of a Pilot Online Conflict Management Workshop for High School Sport Leaders

Conflict and conflict management in sport have received less attention from researchers and practitioners compared to other settings (i.e., business, personal relationships). Studies have focused on athlete perspectives and team outcomes of conflict (Holt et al., 2012; Paradis et al., 2014a), but lack an exploration of explicit strategies for managing conflict. Further, peer leaders of sport teams struggle with facilitating relationships and managing conflict on their teams (Voelker et al., 2011). The purpose of this two-phase study is to explore conflict in sport and potential conflict management resources for youth athletes. In Phase 1, a needs assessment, two focus group interviews with high school team captains identified current sources of conflict, barriers to addressing conflict, and their use of specific conflict management strategies. These results and the COM-B framework (Michie et al., 2011) informed the design and implementation of an online conflict management workshop. In Phase 2, twelve high school student leaders from the same school participated in the online workshop. A mixed-method evaluation measured individual changes in two variables associated with conflict management (cognitive flexibility and problem-solving ability) through surveys and focus group interviews post-workshop. Results indicated this pilot workshop was effective in increasing perceptions of cognitive flexibility and problem solving (i.e., a more positive outlook on problems, a rational problem-solving style, and less avoidance of problems). Results also support the use of a novel framework for managing conflict. The success of this workshop shows promise for future implementation and offers a resource for adolescent athletes.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Training Problem-Solving Skills Based on Gestalt and Bandura Theories on Problem-Solving Styles among High School Students

Background and Objective: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of problem-solving techniques based on Gestalt and Bandura's theories in training high school students. Materials and Methods: All 6,000 female students in the first year of secondary school in Hamedan, Iran, were involved in the current semi-experimental study. The statistical sample size was 75 individuals (3 groups of 25) selected using the purposive sampling method. Moreover, the MANCOVA test and Scheffe's post hoc test were used to analyze the data. Results: The results showed that teaching problem-solving skills based on the two theories of Gestalt and Bandura affected students' five problem-solving strategies. The use of negative, avoidant, and impulsive orientation techniques by students was decreased as a result of this training, which increased logical and positive orientation techniques. Conclusions: The benefits of training problem-solving skills based on these theories often varied on students' problem-solving methods. When compared to training based on Gestalt theory, Bandura's theory-based problem-solving training had a greater influence on logical and avoidance methods.

Problem Çözme Eğitimi Grup Yaşantısının Kadın Hükümlülerin Sosyal Problem Çözme Becerilerine Etkisinin İncelenmesi

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the psycho-education group-based program aimed at improving the social problem-solving skills of female prisoners. The applied program is adopted by Çekici & Güçray (2012) based on the five-stage approach model in social problem-solving (D'zurilla & Nezu, 2007; Nezu et al., 2007). The research is in the semi-experimental design, and one of the types of the experimental design, "real experimental model with pretest-posttest control group" was used. The implementation was carried out with 36 convicts in Karataş Prison in Adana province in the Women's Open Penal Institution. Since the sample did not show a normal distribution, it was evaluated by the Wilcoxon Signed Rows Test, one of the non-parametric analysis methods used to compare the difference between the scores of the two sets of measurements. As a result of the analysis, it was found that the use of a positive orientation-rational problem-solving style to the problem, which is a positive coping style, increased social problem-solving skills in female convicts who participated in social problem-solving group practices, and their use of inattentive and avoidant styles, which are negative orientation to the problem and negative coping styles, decreased. This did not change in the results of the monitoring measurement in which the persistence of the effect was evaluated. The findings were interpreted in light of the literature data.

The Innovative School: a Viewpoint from Social Axioms and Problem-Solving Styles

The Innovative School: a Viewpoint from Social Axioms and Problem-Solving Styles

Does Cooperative Conflict Management mediate the relationship between Diversity Appreciation and Self-Efficacy for Teamwork with Dissimilar Team-mates?

This research study examines the mediating influence of a problem-solving conflict style (PSCMS) on the relationship between diversity appreciation (DA) and self-efficacy for teamwork with team-mates who are perceived as dissimilar (SEDT). One hundred and ninety-six undergraduate business management students completed self-assessment measures of DA and SEDT, and identified a close associate who completed an observer version of the Dutch conflict management style scale. Product moment correlations were used to examine the hypothesized relationships between SEDT and both DA and PSCMS, and both the Hayes process and the Sobel test were used to test the hypothesis that PSCMS mediates the relationship between DA and SEDT. SEDT was significantly correlated with both DA (r = 0.34, p < 0.01) and PSCMS (r = 0.43, p < 0.01). DA was significantly correlated with PSCMS (r = 0.37, p < 0.01). Both the Hayes process and Sobel test (Z = 3.91, p < 0.001) confirmed that PSCMS partially mediated the relationship between DA and SEDT. Educators and practitioners need to be aware of the influence of DA and PSCMS on SEDT. Development activities that promote both diversity appreciation and use of a problem-solving conflict management style should help improve team member confidence in their ability to work with team-mates who they perceive as significantly different from themselves. This is the first study to examine the relationships between DA, PSCMS and SEDT. The results of this study highlight the importance of promoting both diversity appreciation and a problem-solving conflict management style as part of the process of helping team members develop confidence in their ability to successfully work with team-mates who they perceive as dissimilar.