Social Problem Solving: Basic Concepts, Research, and Applications

A multi-site randomized controlled trial of a cognitive skills programme for male mentally disordered offenders: social–cognitive outcomes

“…The current study therefore provides further evidence that specifically targeted interventions might be able to improve social problem-solving in this population. These findings are important, as social problem-solving deficits have been associated with a number of negative outcomes including recidivism, poor adjustment in prison and homelessness in offender populations (McGuire, 2005). MDOs allocated to receive R&R continued to show significant improvements on two of the SPSI subscales at 12 months post-treatment, although changes were significantly greater than those observed in the TAU group for only one subscale.…”

“…Higher total scores reflect better problem-solving ability. The SPSI is one of the most widely-used social problemsolving measures (McGuire, 2005). The authors report high test-retest reliability and internal consistency, and positive correlations with other social problemsolving measures (D'Zurilla et al 2002).…”

A review of effective interventions for reducing aggression and violence

“…(c) Cognitive skills programmes for adults Cognitive skills programmes are so called because their objectives and the methods they employ are directed towards helping the participants to acquire new capacities for thinking about and solving their problems, particularly in the interpersonal domain. They draw on earlier work such as that of Chandler (1973) or Platt et al (1980) (for background, see McGuire 2005).…”

Can the Effect of Problem Solvers’ Characteristics on Adolescents’ Cooperative Problem Solving Ability Be Improved by Group Sizes?

“…D’Zurilla and Nezu (2010) [ 37 ] pointed out in their theoretical interpretation of “rational problem-solving style” that individuals with a rational style are more willing to adopt a comprehensive and systematic way to solve problems, which can encourage individuals to think deliberately, only immerse themselves in problems and discussions with group members, and aspire to obtain correct solutions through effort. The research of McGuire (2005) [ 38 ] also confirmed this view. When D’Zurilla and Nezu (2010) [ 37 ] mentioned the “impulsive/negligent problem-solving style,” they explained that most of these individuals would not seriously consider problems when they encountered them, and usually only chose the first scheme and did not consider whether the scheme was really feasible, which was prone to “perfunctory things.” Those individuals who like to avoid problems are the opposite of rational individuals; when they encounter problems, their first reaction is to escape.…”