Openness to Experience Moderates the Association Between Problem-Solving Style and Negative Affect

Abstract. Everyday problem-solving situations can be approached on an independent or interdependent basis. The current article investigated the moderating effects of openness to experience and self-efficacy on the relation between an independent versus interdependent problem-solving style and negative affect (stress, anxiety, depression, and neuroticism). Australian university students ( Ns = 399, 186, 337, and 248) and international academic researchers ( N = 199) took part in research studies examining the relations between personality, problem-solving-style, and mental health. Openness to experience moderated the association between problem-solving style and negative affect in all five studies. When openness was low, independent problem-solvers reported greater negative emotionality compared to interdependent problem-solvers. Further, the moderating effect of openness to experience on trait-based negative affectivity (i.e., neuroticism) was mediated by state-based negative emotional experiences of anxiety and stress. The moderating effect of self-efficacy appraisals was only statistically significant on specific anxiety about solving problems. Openness to experience seems to help alleviate the negative mental consequences of independent problem-solvers. These findings have implications for clinical practice with regard to building a therapeutic relationship and retaining clients.

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Effectiveness of a Problem-Solving Training Program

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.1995.76.2.507 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 76 (2) ◽

pp. 507-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Johan W. Wege ◽

André T. Möller

Keyword(s):

Problem Solving ◽

Training Program ◽

Undergraduate Students ◽

Internal Control ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Group Analysis ◽

External Control ◽

Problem Solving Skills ◽

Control Orientation ◽

Problem Solvers

The relationship between problem-solving efficiency, defined in terms of the quality of alternative soludons selected, and measures of behavioral competence (self-efficacy and locus of control) was investigated as well as the effectiveness of a problem-solving training program. Subjects were 29 undergraduate students assigned to an effective ( n = 16) and an ineffective ( n = 13) problem-solving group. Analysis indicated that the ineffective problem-solvers appraised their problem-solving skills more negatively and reported low self-efficacy expectations and an external control orientation. Problem-solving training led to improved general self-efficacy expectancies, greater confidence in problem-solving, a more internal control orientation, and improved problem-solving skills. These improvements were maintained at follow-up after two months.

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Rasgos de personalidad y recursos psicológicos como predictores del bienestar emocional en adolescentes con y sin formación en escuelas de tauromaquia

Revista de Psicopatología y Psicología Clínica ◽

10.5944/rppc.vol.23.num.1.2018.18494 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Pilar Sanjuan ◽

David Guillen ◽

Ana María Pérez-García

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Personality Traits ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Well Being ◽

Openness To Experience ◽

Control Group ◽

Psychological Resources ◽

Avoidance Coping ◽

School Group

Abstract: Personality traits and psychological resources as predictors of emotional well-being in adolescents with and without training in bullfighting schools. The main objective of this study was to analyse how being in training in bullfighting schools can affect the emotional well-being (EW), the personality and the psychological resources of adolescents. The sample consisted of 196 boys, 95 from bullfighting school group (BSG) and 101 from a control group (CG). The BSG, in relation to CG, scored significantly more on conscientiousness, agreeableness and openness to experience, as well as on self-efficacy, problem-solving (PSC) and social support coping (SSC), and EW. The EW was predicted by feeling self-efficacy and not using avoidance coping, and in the CG by being extraverted, showing conscientiousness, being low in neuroticism, feeling self-efficacy and using PSC and SSC. It discusses the psychological adaptive profile of adolescents in the BSG and the need to promote well-being in adolescence through the promotion of self-efficacy and active coping.Resumen: El objetivo principal de este estudio fue analizar cómo la formación en escuelas de tauromaquia puede afectar al bienestar emocional (BE), la personalidad y los recursos psicológicos de los adolescentes. Participaron 196 chicos, 95 del grupo de escuelas taurinas (GET) y 101 del grupo control (GC). El GET, en relación con el GC, puntuaba significativamente más en tesón, afabilidad y apertura, así como en autoeficacia, afrontamiento de solución de problemas (ASP) y basado en los demás (AD), y BE. El BE se predecía en el GET por sentirse eficaz y no usar el afrontamiento de evitación, y en el GC por ser extravertido, mostrar tesón, ser bajo en neuroticismo, sentirse eficaz y emplear el ASP y AD. Se discute sobre el perfil psicológico adaptativo que presentan los adolescentes del GET y la necesidad de promover el bienestar en la adolescencia mediante el fomento de la autoeficacia y el afrontamiento activo.

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