Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Social Problem-Solving and Depressive Symptom Vulnerability: The Importance of Real-Life Problem-Solving Performance

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Cognitive Therapy and Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Previous research suggests poor social problem-solving may function as a vulnerability factor for depressive symptoms. However, the ecological validity of previous findings is questionable, with recent research using real-life performance based approaches to ascertain how solutions are implemented in the ‘real world’. The current study employed a longitudinal design to examine the role of real-life problem-solving as a predictor of future depressive symptoms. Participants completed a diary of the interpersonal problems they encountered, and their attempts to solve them. They also completed traditional measures of social problem-solving (SPSI-R and MEPS task). Real-life problem-solving performance predicted depressive symptoms 3 months after the initial testing session, beyond the variance accounted for by traditional measures of social problem-solving. This suggests that the ability to hypothetically problem-solve is distinct from the ability to generate and implement problem-solving strategies in real-life, and that it is the latter which is most important in predicting depressive symptoms.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ajzen, I., & Fishbein, M. (1977). Attitude-behavior relations: A theoretical analysis and review of empirical research. Psychological Bulletin, 84, 888–918.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Anderson, R. J., Goddard, L., & Powell, J. H. (2009). Social problem-solving processes and mood in college students: An examination of self-report and performance-based approaches. Cognitive Therapy & Research, 33(2), 175–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1967). Depression: Causes and treatment. Philadelphia: University of Philadelphia Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T. (1987). Cogntive models of depression. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy, 1, 5–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Garbin, M. G. (1988). Psychometric properties of the Beck depression inventory: Twenty-five years of evaluation. Clinical Psychology Review, 8(1), 77–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beck, A. T., Ward, C. H., Mendelson, M., Mock, J., & Erbaugh, J. (1961). An inventory for measuring depression. Archives of General Psychiatry, 562–563(4), 561–571.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J. (1986). Problem solving therapy: A social competence approach to clinical intervention. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (1995). Conceptual and methodological issues in social problem-solving assessment. Behavior Therapy, 26, 409–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., Maydeu-Olivares, A., & Kant, G. L. (1998). Age and gender differences in social problem-solving ability. Personality and Individual Differences, 25, 241–252.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Nezu, A. M. (1982). Social problem solving in adults. In P. C. Kendall (Ed.), Advances in cognitive-behavioural research and therapy (Vol. 1, pp. 202–239). New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Nezu, A. M. (1990). Development and preliminary evaluation of the social problem-solving inventory. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2(2), 156–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Nezu, A. M. (1999). Problem-solving therapy: A social competence approach to clinical intervention (2nd ed. ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., Nezu, A. M., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2002). Social problem solving inventory—revised: Technical manual. New York: Multi-Health Systems Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., Nezu, A. M., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2004). Social problem-solving: Theory and assessment. In E. C. Chang, T. J. D’Zurilla, & L. J. Sanna (Eds.), Social problem solving: Theory, research, and training (pp. 11–28). Washington, DC: Americal Psychological Association.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2006). Problem-solving therapy: A positive approach to clinical intervention (3rd ed.). New York: Springer Publishing Company.

    Google Scholar 

  • D’Zurilla, T. J., & Sheedy, C. F. (1991). Relation between social problem-solving ability and subsequent level of psychological stress in college students. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 61(5), 841–846.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Davila, J., Hammen, C., Burge, D., Paley, B., & Daley, S. E. (1995). Poor interpersonal problem solving as a mechanism of stress generation in depression among adolescent women. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 104(4), 592–600.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dixon, W. A., Heppner, P. P., Burnett, J. W., Anderson, W. P., & Wood, P. K. (1993). Distinguishing among antecedents, concomitants, and consequences of problem-solving appraisal and depressive symptoms. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40(3), 357–364.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foxx, R. M., & Faw, G. D. (2000). The pursuit of actual problem-solving behavior: An opportunity for behaviour analysis. Behavior and Social Issues, 10, 71–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goddard, L., Dritschel, B., & Burton, A. (1998). Gender differences in the dual-task effects on autobiographical memory retrieval during social problem solving. British Journal of Psychology, 89, 611–627.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hammen, C. (1991). Generation of stress in the course of unipolar depression. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 100(4), 555–561.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Heppner, P. P., Hibel, J., Neal, G. W., Weinstein, C. L., & Rabinowitz, F. E. (1982). Personal problem solving: A descriptive study of individual differences. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 29(6), 580–590.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kant, G. L., D’Zurilla, T. J., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (1997). Social problem solving as a mediator of stress-related depression and anxiety in middle-aged and elderly community residents. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 21(1), 73–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McCabe, R., Blankstein, K. R., & Mills, J. (1999). Interpersonal sensitivity and social problem-solving: Relations with academic and social self-esteem, depressive symptoms and academic performance. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 23(6), 587–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M. (1986). Cognitive appraisal of problem solving effectiveness: Relation to depression and depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(1), 42–48.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M. (1987). A problem-solving formulation of depression: A literature review and proposal of a pluralistic model. Clinical Psychology Review, 7, 121–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., & D’Zurilla, T. J. (1989). Social problem solving and negative affective conditions. In P. C. Kendall & D. Watson (Eds.), Anxiety and depression: Distinctive and overlapping features (pp. 285–315). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., & Perri, M. G. (1989). Problem-solving therapy for depression: Theory, research and clinical guidelines. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., Nezu, C. M., Saraydarian, L., Kalmar, K., & Ronan, G. F. (1986). Social problem solving as a moderating variable between negative life stress and depressive symptoms. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 10(5), 489–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., & Perri, M. G. (1989). Social problem-solving therapy for unipolar depression: An initial dismantling investigation. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57(3), 408–413.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nezu, A. M., & Ronan, G. F. (1988). Social problem solving as a moderator of stress-related depressive symptoms: A prospective analysis. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 35(2), 134–138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (1987). Sex differences in unipolar depression: Evidence and theory. Psychological Bulletin, 101, 259–282.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Platt, J. J., & Spivack, G. (1975). Manual for the means-ended problem solving (MEPS): A measure of interpersonal problem-solving skill. Philadelphia: Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reinecke, M. A., Dubois, D. L., & Schultz, T. M. (2001). Social problem solving, mood, and suicidality among inpatient adolescents. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 25(6), 743–756.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shewchuck, R. M., Johnson, M. O., & Elliott, T. R. (2000). Self-appraised social problem solving abilities, emotional reactions and actual problem solving performance. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 38, 727–740.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Nieuwenhuijzen, M., Bijman, E. R., Lamberix, I. C. W., Wijnroks, L., Orobio de Castro, B., Vermeer, A., et al. (2005). Do children do what they say? Responses to hypothetical and real-life social problems in children with mild intellectual disabilities and behaviour problems. Journal of Intellectual Disability Research, 49(6), 419–433.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wierzbicki, M. (1984). Social skills deficits and subsequent depressed mood in students. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 10(4), 605–610.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by an Economic and Social Research Council Doctoral studentship awarded to the first author at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health, Leeds Metropolitan University, Leeds, UK

    Rachel J. Anderson

  2. Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths, University of London, London, UK

    Lorna Goddard & Jane H. Powell

Authors
  1. Rachel J. Anderson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lorna Goddard
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jane H. Powell
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel J. Anderson.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Anderson, R.J., Goddard, L. & Powell, J.H. Social Problem-Solving and Depressive Symptom Vulnerability: The Importance of Real-Life Problem-Solving Performance. Cogn Ther Res 35, 48–56 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9286-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-009-9286-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation