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The relations between social problem solving and coping

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Abstract

This study examined the convergent and divergent relations between the five problem-solving dimensions measured by the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised (positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, rational problem solving, impusivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style; D'Zurilla, Nezu, & Maydeu-Olivares, 1995) and the automatic/experiential coping activities assessed by the Constructive Thinking Inventory (Epstein & Meier, 1989), as well as the functional coping strategies assessed by the Coping Strategies Inventory (Tobin, Holroyd, Reynolds, & Wigal, 1989). As predicted, experiential activities were found to be mostly independent of rational problem solving, but more highly and consistently associated with positive and negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style. Support was also found for the hypotheses that positive problem orientation and rational problem solving would be associated with the use of adaptive problem-engagement coping strategies, whereas the three dysfunctional problem-solving dimensions would be related to the use of disengagement (avoidant) coping strategies. The hypothesis that problem-solving ability would also be related to the use of adaptive emotion-focused coping was not supported. Implications for theory, research, and therapy are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, 11794-2500, Stony Brook, New York

    Thomas J. D'Zurilla

  2. Northern Kentucky University, USA

    Edward C. Chang

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  1. Thomas J. D'Zurilla
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  2. Edward C. Chang
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Additional information

The authors would like to thank Albert Maydeu-Olivares and Delwyne Catley for their help with the statistical analyses of these data.

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D'Zurilla, T.J., Chang, E.C. The relations between social problem solving and coping. Cogn Ther Res 19, 547–562 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02230513

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