Problems in Measuring Problem‐solving: The Suitability of the Means – Ends Problem Solving (Meps) Procedure

House, Richard; Scott, Jan

doi:10.1002/(sici)1234-988x(199612)6:4<243::aid-mpr167>3.3.co;2-5

Cited by 13 publications

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“…The MEPS has already been found to be a reasonable and robust instrument (D'Zurilla & Maydeu-Olivares, 1995;House & Scott, 1996), and this study has shown that the revised problem solving scenarios were acceptable for use with older adults. The MEPS measures performance on 'means end thinking' tasks, i.e.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

“…However, the MEPS has never been validated for use with older adults, and it has several limitations. First, respondents are instructed to 'make up a story' that may potentially introduce a lack of realism and cause an atypical problem solving set to be adopted (House & Scott, 1996). Second, respondents are instructed to identify with a protagonist that possibly reduces the personal relevance and therefore the ecological validity of the measure (D'Zurilla & Maydeu-Olivares, 1995).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Parasuicidal behaviour and interpersonal problem solving performance in older adults

Howat

Davidson

2002

British J Clinic Psychol

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Parasuicide in older adults is related to a deficit in interpersonal problem solving performance that cannot be completely explained in terms of depression. Further investigation of interpersonal problem-solving in relation to parasuicide and depression in older adults is required, perhaps using process measures of interpersonal problem solving to clarify the nature of the difficulties. The modified MEPS is acceptable to older adults and can be easily administered.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 80%

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confidence: 99%

Parasuicidal behaviour and interpersonal problem solving performance in older adults

Howat

Davidson

2002

British J Clinic Psychol

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“…Various amendments to the original have been proposed. In order to improve the consistency of administration of the MEPS, Butler and Meichenbaum (1981) suggested excluding some of the less relevant scenarios, whilst House and Scott (1996) recommend that participants are asked to provide their ideal solution, rather than simply to 'complete the story'. In the present study both of these variations were adopted.…”

Section: Mean Ends Problem Solving Taskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social Problem-Solving Processes and Mood in College Students: An Examination of Self-report and Performance-based Approaches

2007

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Previous research has consistently linked poor problem-solving with depression and anxiety. However, much of this research has failed to directly assess real-life problem-solving, relying on self-appraisal or responses to hypothetical problems. This study examined real-life problem-solving in three groups of college students: nondepressed/non-anxious controls; anxious; and mixed depressed/anxious. Participants completed a diary of the interpersonal problems they encountered, and their attempts to solve them. Real-life social problem-solving was also assessed by asking participants to recall past problem solutions. Participants also completed the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) and the Mean Ends Problem Solving (MEPS) task. The real-life problem-solving tasks revealed significant differences between the groups, with the mixed depression/anxiety participants exhibiting less effective strategies compared to the control group. However, there were no group differences in MEPS performance, or within the constructive problem-solving style component of the SPSI-R. No deficits were found within the anxious group. Both the anxious and the mixed depressed/anxious groups expressed negative attitudes towards problem-solving. Results have implications for social problem-solving research and suggest that current assessment procedures may be unable to detect impairments in real life problem-solving. Therefore a diary procedure where individuals record their response to the problems they encounter in everyday life may prove a valuable addition to the current battery of assessment procedures.

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“…Finally, it is important to note that although the MEPS procedure has been widely used as a measure of problem‐solving ability, House and Scott () point out several criticisms of the test. For instance, because MEPS scenarios are interpersonal in nature, they require an interaction or a behavioral response from the protagonist.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Active and Passive Problem Solving: Moderating Role in the Relation Between Depressive Symptoms and Future Suicidal Ideation Varies by Suicide Attempt History

et al. 2015

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Objective Research suggests that being unable to generate solutions to problems in times of distress may contribute to suicidal thoughts and behavior, and that depression is associated with problem solving deficits. This study examined active and passive problem solving as moderators of the association between depressive symptoms and future suicidal ideation (SI) among suicide attempters and non-attempters. Method Young adults (n = 324, 73% female, Mage = 19, SD = 2.22) with (n = 78) and without (n = 246) a suicide attempt history completed a problem-solving task, self-report measures of hopelessness, depression, and SI at baseline, and also completed a self-report measure of SI at 6-month follow-up. Results Passive problem solving was higher among suicide attempters but did not moderate the association between depressive symptoms and future SI. Among attempters, active problem solving buffered against depressive symptoms in predicting future SI. Conclusions Suicide prevention should foster active problem solving, especially among suicide attempters.

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Problems in Measuring Problem‐solving: The Suitability of the Means – Ends Problem Solving (Meps) Procedure

Cited by 13 publications

References 0 publications

Parasuicidal behaviour and interpersonal problem solving performance in older adults

Parasuicidal behaviour and interpersonal problem solving performance in older adults

Social Problem-Solving Processes and Mood in College Students: An Examination of Self-report and Performance-based Approaches

Active and Passive Problem Solving: Moderating Role in the Relation Between Depressive Symptoms and Future Suicidal Ideation Varies by Suicide Attempt History

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