Abstract
Recent research has emphasized the importance of interpersonal problems with depression. It has been hypothesized that deficits in interpersonal problem-solving skills may account for many of these problems. Three studies that examined the relationship between problem-solving skills and depression are reported. Problem-solving skills among children, adolescents, and adults were assessed by the Means-Ends Problem Solving Test. Contrary to prediction, there were no differences in problem-solving skills between depressed and nondepressed groups; these findings were consistent across each age group. The external validity of such paper-and-pencil measures of problem solving is questioned; it is suggested that future research focus on how depressed individuals solve real-life problems.
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This paper is based, in part, on a doctoral dissertation by Leonard A. Doerfler conducted under the supervision of C. Steven Richards, and on master's theses by Larry L. Mullins and Nora J. Griffin conducted under the supervision of Lawrence J. Siegel.
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Doerfler, L.A., Mullins, L.L., Griffin, N.J. et al. Problem-solving deficits in depressed children, adolescents, and adults. Cogn Ther Res 8, 489–499 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173286
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173286