THE RELATIONS BETWEEN SOCIAL-PROBLEM SOLVING AND COPING

This study examined the convergent and divergent relations between the five problem-solving dimensions measured by the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation rational problem solving, impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style; D'Zurilla, Nezu, & Maydeu-Olivares, 1995) and the automatic/experiential coping activities assessed by the Constructive Thinking Inventory (Epstein di Meier, 1989), as well as the functional coping strategies assessed by the Coping Strategies Inventory (Tobin, Holroyd, Reynolds, di Wigal, 1989). As predicted, experiential activities were found to be mostly independent of rational problem solving, but more highly and consistently associated with positive and negative problem orientation, impulsivity/carelessness style, and avoidance style. Support was also found for the hypotheses that positive problem orientation and rational problem solving would be associated with the use of adaptive problem-engagement coping strategies, whereas the three dysfunctional problem-solving dimensions would be related to the use of disengagement (avoidant) coping strategies. The hypothesis that problem-solving ability would also be related to the use of adaptive emotion-focused coping was not supported, Implications for theory, research, and therapy are discussed.