Chapter IV: Aging and Psychological Adjustment: Problem Solving and Motivation

1961 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 487-499
Author(s):  
James E Birren ◽  
Edward A. Jerome ◽  
Sheila M. Chown
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Adjustment Problem

Aging and Psychological Adjustment: Problem Solving and Motivation

1961 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 487
Author(s):  
James E. Birren ◽  
Edward A. Jerome ◽  
Sheila M. Chown
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Adjustment Problem

The Power of Positive Problem-Solving Appraisal

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 460-465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shane J. Lopez ◽  
Kelly M. Janowski
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Counseling Psychology ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Incremental Validity ◽  
Practice Agenda

In response to Heppner, Witty, and Dixon's rigorous review of 20 years of research on problem-solving appraisal, our commentary emphasizes the hygiological focus of the work and the value of this research to the field of counseling psychology. Furthermore, we hope to increase the effect of positive problem-solving appraisal by outlining a portion of an ambitious scholarly and practice agenda for the next decade. Recommendations include establishing incremental validity, clarifying the relationships between problem-solving appraisal and psychological adjustment, and increasing the clinical utility of problem-solving training.

Problem-Solving Appraisal and Human Adjustment

2004 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 344-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Paul Heppner ◽  
Thomas E. Witty ◽  
Wayne A. Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Theory Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Helping Professions ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Content Areas

This article reviews and synthesizes more than 120 studies from 20 years (1982-2002) of research that has examined problem-solving appraisal as measured by the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI). The goals of the article are fourfold: (a) introduce the construct of problem-solving appraisal and the PSI within the applied problem-solving literature, (b) summarize and integrate existing findings using the PSI within and across four major content areas (psychological adjustment, physical health, coping, and educational and vocational issues), (c) identify promising research directions that might stimulate future research and promote theory development, and (d) identify implications for practitioners in the helping professions. We conclude that problem-solving appraisal as measured by the PSI is a useful psychological construct with implications for theory and many applications to build on peoples' strengths to enhance their life satisfaction and well-being.

Relationships between Coping Strategies and Defense Mechanisms in Sport Performance

2008 ◽  
Vol 103 (3) ◽  
pp. 735-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Nicolas ◽  
Ahmed Jebrane
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Real World ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Sport Competition ◽  
Univariate Analyses

In an exploratory study, the relationships between two major concepts in psychological adjustment, coping strategies, and defense mechanisms were investigated. Sport competition is an example of a real-world context in which people's responses to stressful situations can be investigated. The extent to which participants reported different uses of coping strategies and defense mechanisms was assessed in terms of performance. 26 elite kayakers were classified into one of two groups, depending on the discrepancy between their standard performance and their performance in competition. Correlations were found among the coping strategies of seeking social support, positive reappraisal/planful problem solving, and mature defenses and between the coping strategy of distancing/avoidance and immature defenses. The results of multivariate and univariate analyses confirmed a significantly different use of coping strategies and defense mechanisms between the two performance groups. In light of these findings, certain recommendations in terms of methodology and application are warranted. Coping strategies and defense mechanisms should be studied to improve adjustment to sport performance.

Problem-Solving Appraisal and Psychological Adjustment

2009 ◽  
pp. 344-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Paul Heppner ◽  
Dong-Gwi Lee ◽  
Lu Tian
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Positive Psychology ◽  
Psychological Adjustment ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Applied Problem ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Problem Solving Skills ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Many

How people typically respond to life's problems is of critical importance, particularly how they appraise their problem-solving skills and whether they generally approach or avoid the many problems of life. A critical strength or resource for coping with life's demands is a person's appraisal of his or her problem-solving skills and style. This chapter focuses on how problem-solving appraisal has been empirically demonstrated to be an important asset in living and an important component of positive psychology. Specifically, it begins with a brief history of applied problem-solving appraisal, followed by how it is measured. The Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) has been one of the most widely used self-report inventories in applied problem solving; the PSI has a strong empirical base, and it is strongly linked to a wide range of indices of psychological adjustment, physical health, a wide array of coping activities, and vocational adjustment. The chapter also provides a brief overview of problem-solving training interventions, and finally future research directions and conclusions. Because problem-solving appraisal is learned, this implies that it is amenable to change; this provides hope for millions of people to bring positive change to their lives through the integration of problem solving and positive psychology.

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