What is problem solving? A review of theory, research and applications

McGuire, James

doi:10.1002/cbm.397

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Recent research has shown that the absence of effective problem-solving skills is associated with interpersonal difficulties, behavioural problems, negative affect and psychological adjustment (see Antonowicz & Ross, 2005;McGuire, 2001 for thorough reviews). Particularly relevant for this study is that offenders have been found to have less effective problem-solving abilities than other more well-adjusted groups (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychometric Validation of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised with UK Incarcerated Sexual Offenders

Wakeling

2007

Sex Abuse

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This study examined the reliability and validity of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory--Revised (SPSI-R; D'Zurilla, Nezu, & Maydeu-Olivares, 2002) with a population of incarcerated sexual offenders. An availability sample of 499 adult male sexual offenders was used. The SPSI-R had good reliability measured by internal consistency and test-retest reliability, and adequate validity. Construct validity was determined via factor analysis. An exploratory factor analysis extracted a two-factor model. This model was then tested against the theory-driven five-factor model using confirmatory factor analysis. The five-factor model was selected as the better fitting of the two, and confirmed the model according to social problem-solving theory (D'Zurilla & Nezu, 1982). The SPSI-R had good convergent validity; significant correlations were found between SPSI-R subscales and measures of self-esteem, impulsivity, and locus of control. SPSI-R subscales were however found to significantly correlate with a measure of socially desirable responding. This finding is discussed in relation to recent research suggesting that impression management may not invalidate self-report measures (e.g. Mills & Kroner, 2005). The SPSI-R was sensitive to sexual offender intervention, with problem-solving improving pre to post-treatment in both rapists and child molesters. The study concludes that the SPSI-R is a reasonably internally valid and appropriate tool to assess problem-solving in sexual offenders. However future research should cross-validate the SPSI-R with other behavioural outcomes to examine the external validity of the measure. Furthermore, future research should utilise a control group to determine treatment impact.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Psychometric Validation of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory—Revised with UK Incarcerated Sexual Offenders

Wakeling

2007

Sex Abuse

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“…Studies have found (Friendship, Blud, Erikson, & Travers, 2002), and not found (Falshaw, Friendship, Travers, & Nupent, 2003), differences in reconviction rates for offenders who have been provided with ''thinking skills'' programs designed to tackle the perceived different patterns of problem solving. If these studies, perhaps after improvements in the programs devised (McGuire, 2001), do show that cognitive skills training can make a difference in terms of reconviction rates, then there are considerable implications for lawyers. It will be possible to devise more appropriate sentences.…”

Section: Mens Reamentioning

confidence: 96%

Mens rea

Carson¹,

Felthous²

2003

Behavioral Sci & The Law

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“…The average lengths of stay (at T1) of DBT-F-patients was significantly shorter than in the other groups (DBT-F versus R&R p = .014; versus TAU p = .048), but there was no difference between the R&R and the DBT-F group. The number of months at T1 varied from 2 (DBT-F group) to 18 (DBT-F and TAU) months, outliers (38,26, and 23 months) were removed.…”

Section: The Examined Samplementioning

confidence: 99%

“…The relationship between social problem-solving and criminal behavior has been thoroughly examined in the literature (37)(38)(39)(40)(41). Poor social problem-solving abilities have been hypothesized to lead to criminal behaviors as maladaptive attempts to solve personal or interpersonal problems (40).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%