Analyses of the Self-monitoring Scale with the Problem Solving Inventory

Abstract

Self-monitoring regulates the expression of behavior, which can facilitate relationships in different contexts. The aim of this study was to confirm the factorial structure of the exploratory analysis of the Self-monitoring Scale (SMS) and investigate the effect of the independent variable Self-monitoring on the dependent variable Social Problem Solving. Participants were 400 university students of different degrees, both sexes, aged between 18 and 58 years (M=31.3 and SD=9.4) and with data collected on the spot. Confirmatory Factor Analysis found fit indexes that support the two-factor model, corroborated by the literature. The regression analysis demonstrated that Self-monitoring predicted the Resolution of Social Problems regarding the Problem Orientation (PO) factor, suggesting that students with a higher PO would be less aware of the context to regulate behavior. The study showed the functioning of the instruments that measure concepts that are still little explored in Higher Education studies.