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Results for “PROBLEM SOLVING”

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PubMed1996

Problem solving following neonatal exposure to cocaine, ethanol, or cocaine/ethanol in combination in rats.

This study examined the effects of neonatal drug exposure on performance in a digging maze. Subjects were Sprague-Dawley rats, artificially reared (AR) and fed through a gastrostomy tube from postnatal days (PND) 4-10. The AR groups included a cocaine group (20 mg/kg/day cocaine hydrochloride), an ethanol group (4 g/kg/day ethanol), a cocaine/ethanol group (20 mg/kg/day cocaine and 4 g/kg/day ethanol), and an AR control group. A suckled control raised by its dam was also included. At approximately PND 55, subjects were tested in a digging maze paradigm. The digging maze required subjects to use a species typical behavior (digging) to solve a novel problem (gaining access to water). While neonatal treatment had no effect on acquisition of a simple runway task for water reward, neonatal exposure to cocaine and ethanol in combination resulted in impaired performance on the digging maze task. None of the other neonatal treatment groups showed impairments on this task. These findings suggest that exposure to these doses of cocaine and ethanol during neonatal development may have more serious effects on problem solving tasks in rats than exposure to either drug alone.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Social problem-solving and vulnerability to depression in a clinical sample.

The relationship between problem-solving and depression was examined in a sample of 48 new clients (38 women and 10 men) presenting at three Community Health Centers over a 3-wk. period. The clients were predominantly Anglosaxon and ranged in age from 19 to 59 years. At the time of admission each client completed a questionnaire including the Beck Depression Inventory-Version II, the Inventory to Diagnose Depression, and the Social Problem-solving Inventory-Revised. The first two inventories were used to identify a currently depressed group, a previously depressed group, and a never depressed group. Consistent with past research, currently depressed clients had lower scores on all dimensions of social problem-solving than did nondepressed clients. In contrast, clients who reported a past episode of depression but who were not currently depressed did not differ from those nondepressed clients who had no history of depression. The data suggest that the deficit in social problem-solving evident in depression may be a concomitant of the person's current mood rather than an underlying vulnerability factor. However, further investigation into changes in problem-solving over time and the correspondence of self-reports of problem-solving to more objective measures of skill is warranted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Randomised controlled trial of problem solving treatment, antidepressant medication, and combined treatment for major depression in primary care.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether problem solving treatment combined with antidepressant medication is more effective than either treatment alone in the management of major depression in primary care. To assess the effectiveness of problem solving treatment when given by practice nurses compared with general practitioners when both have been trained in the technique. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial with four treatment groups. SETTING: Primary care in Oxfordshire. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged 18-65 years with major depression on the research diagnostic criteria-a score of 13 or more on the 17 item Hamilton rating scale for depression and a minimum duration of illness of four weeks. INTERVENTIONS: Problem solving treatment by research general practitioner or research practice nurse or antidepressant medication or a combination of problem solving treatment and antidepressant medication. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Hamilton rating scale for depression, Beck depression inventory, clinical interview schedule (revised), and the modified social adjustment schedule assessed at 6, 12, and 52 weeks. RESULTS: Patients in all groups showed a clear improvement over 12 weeks. The combination of problem solving treatment and antidepressant medication was no more effective than either treatment alone. There was no difference in outcome irrespective of who delivered the problem solving treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Problem solving treatment is an effective treatment for depressive disorders in primary care. The treatment can be delivered by suitably trained practice nurses or general practitioners. The combination of this treatment with antidepressant medication is no more effective than either treatment alone.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2001

Effects of dorsal-striatum lesions and fimbria-fornix lesions on the problem-solving strategies of rats in a shallow water maze.

In solving a spatial problem, animals can use a place, cue, or response strategy. The present research was designed to evaluate the role of dorsal striatum (DS) in spatial problem solving and to compare it with that of fimbria fornix (FF). Rats were trained with a place + cue task in a shallow pool, then were divided into three groups (DS, FF, control), and lesions were made in the corresponding areas. After retraining, four probe tests were given: Test 1 (start position moved), Test 2 (goal and start positions moved), Test 3 (invisible goal), and Test 4 (curtain test). The test results suggest that the DS and Control groups performed the original task by using the place strategy, whereas the FF group used the cue strategy, which strongly implies that the DS group was impaired in the use of the cue strategy. This research also provides evidence supporting the usefulness of a shallow pool in evaluating animal behavior.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Validation of a new measure of clinical problem-solving.

A review of the literature on the assessment of medical problem-solving by means of written tests reveals serious short-comings. Most important is the low correlation repeatedly found among cases, which suggests the inability of the measures to assess a general problem-solving ability. The literature further suggests that instruments should focus on the brief period of time after the first encounter of a clinical problem and warns against the effects of cueing. Based on these considerations a new measure for the assessment of medical problem-solving was developed. This test, called Simulation of Initial Medical Problem-Solving (SIMP), consists of a number of short case histories, followed by an open-ended question. Reliability analysed by means of generalizability theory proved satisfactory and concurrent validity was established by a significant correlation with a global judgement of performance in a simulated patient encounter. The moderate correlation between cases is interpreted as an acceptable correlation among test items and leads to the conclusion that a reliable and valid test of clinical problem-solving should consist of a substantial number of different cases.

Clinical Competence↗

PubMed2003

Problem-solving by traumatically brain injured and neurologically intact subjects on an adaptation of the twenty questions test.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: RAPS (Rapid Assessment of Problem-Solving) is a clinical measure for assessing verbal problem-solving in hard-to-test patients or those that may not be able to tolerate a longer, more detailed assessment. The design of the test is based on Mosher and Hornsby's Twenty Question test, but RAPS contains several modifications to facilitate its use with brain-injured individuals. This study used RAPS to compare the verbal problem-solving ability of subjects that were neurologically intact and subjects that had chronic traumatic brain injuries. METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Twenty-one adults that were neurologically intact (NI) and 21 adults that had incurred a traumatic brain injury (TBI) matched for age, gender and education took part in the study. Before being tested with RAPS, participants signed an IRB-approved consent form and completed a battery of neurocognitive measures. RAPS entailed the solving of three verbal problems. Each problem involved an array of 32 pictures of common objects (e.g. football) arranged in a 4x 8 grid. The subjects were instructed to ask yes/no questions to determine which picture the examiner was 'thinking of '. Three scores were computed for each problem solved: number of questions asked, percentage of constraint-seeking questions, and question-asking efficiency scores for the first four questions. OUTCOMES: No learning effects across the problems were found for any of the RAPS measures. Scores were averaged across the three problems to determine group effects. Groups of TBI and NI subjects did not differ significantly in the number of questions asked in solving RAPS problems. Members of the NI group asked significantly more constraint-seeking questions (e.g. Is it an animal?) than those in the TBI group, and the subjects that had incurred brain injuries did more guessing than the NI group. Over 70% of the time, guessing took place after the semantic category containing the target picture was known to the subject. Guesses took the form of pseudo-constraint questions (e.g. Is it the animal with a long neck?) rather than frank guesses (e.g. Is it the giraffe?). These trends were seen for both groups. Question-asking efficiency scores, computed for the first four questions of each problem, reflected the amount of information gained by the subjects' questions. It was anticipated that subjects' questioning strategies would target larger rather than smaller number of pictures and systematically reduce the number of total pictures under consideration. Question-asking efficiency scores were significantly higher for the group of NI subjects. Both groups increased question-asking efficiency scores across the first four questions, and there was no significant group x question interaction. Further analysis of the question-asking efficiency scores revealed that questions from the group of NI subjects tended to target multiple categories of pictures and larger single semantic categories of pictures on the 32-item problem-solving board, whereas those from the group of TBI subjects often targeted smaller categories or portions of categories. CONCLUSIONS: Two meta-cognitive functions, planning and strategy shifting, appeared to explain most of the differences in the verbal problem-solving performance between the groups. Both groups, however, demonstrated a range of abilities on RAPS. Until a larger normative database for RAPS is available, it behooves clinicians using the test to analyse results on an individual basis, to consider the subject's pre-morbid problem-solving ability and to weigh those factors associated with brain injury that could affect RAPS performance.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Everyday problem solving in elderly women: contributions of residence, perceived control, and age.

This study examined the use of relativistic operations in everyday problem solving by elderly women. Thirty-two community residents and 32 nursing hostel residents aged between 65-90 years participated. Structured interviews canvassed the role of residence and other factors thought to contribute to the maintenance of problem-solving skills. Path analysis was used to test the developed model of the influences of age, engagement in problem-solving activities, control orientation, problem familiarity and residence on the use of relativistic operations. Partial support was found for the proposed model. Community residents used significantly more relativistic operations to solve the problems than did hostel residents. A revised model showed that in addition to residence and control orientation, the use of relativistic operations was influenced indirectly by the level of everyday problem-solving activity, through the orientation of perceived control. Increased problem-solving activity was associated with an internal control orientation, which in turn was directly related to the use of relativistic operations. The influence of age on problem solving was indirect, through problem-solving activity and residence. Our findings provide initial evidence of the extent to which variables other than age can influence everyday problem-solving performance.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1994

Problem-solving for better health.

An outline is given of an approach to the health-for-all goals which involves optimizing resource use, prioritizing people's well-being, achieving excellence and a measurable impact at all levels of care, and solving health problems in a broad developmental context.

Attitude to Health↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Perceived problem solving, stress, and health among college students.

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationships among perceived problem solving, stress, and physical health. METHODS: The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ), Personal Problem solving Inventory (PSI), and a stress-related physical health symptoms checklist were used to measure perceived stress, problem solving, and health among undergraduate college students (N = 232). RESULTS: Perceived problem-solving ability predicted self-reported physical health symptoms (R2 = .12; P < .001) and perceived stress (R2 = .19; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Perceived problem solving was a stronger predictor of physical health and perceived stress than were physical activity, alcohol consumption, or social support. Implications for college health promotion are discussed.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Social support, social problem-solving abilities, and adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors.

OBJECTIVE: To determine contributions of social support and social problem-solving abilities in prediction of adjustment of family caregivers of stroke survivors. DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Two rehabilitation facilities (1 private, 1 state) in the southeastern United States. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two family caregivers (46 women, 6 men) of stroke survivors (28 women, 24 men). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Predictor variables were social support and social problem-solving abilities. Outcome measures of caregiver adjustment were depressive symptomatology, well-being, and general health. Participants completed these measures 1 to 2 days before discharge from inpatient rehabilitation and at 5, 9, and 13 weeks postdischarge in the home. RESULTS: Trajectory analysis indicated higher levels of social support were associated with lower levels of caregiver depressive symptomatology and higher levels of well-being and general health, independent of social problem solving. A greater negative problem orientation was associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology and lower levels of well-being. A more positive problem orientation was associated with greater increases in general health. The strength or slope of this positive relation lessened over time. CONCLUSIONS: Social support and the emotion-focused component of social problem solving, problem orientation, independently contribute to caregiver adjustment. Interventions that provide social support and assist caregivers to develop more adaptive abilities toward problem solving may be beneficial.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2005

Social problem solving in adolescents with suicidal behavior: a systematic review.

There is an increasing focus on deficiencies in problem solving as a vulnerability factor for suicidal behavior in general and hence a target for treatment in suicide attempters. In view of the uncertainty of evidence for this in adolescents we conducted a systematic review of the international research literature examining the possible relationship between deficiencies in social problem-solving skills and suicidal behavior in this population. This was based on searching two electronic databases: Medline 1966 to September 2003 and PsychInfo 1887 to September 2003. Twenty-two studies of social problem-solving skills in adolescents with suicidal behavior were found. Most of these studies, which compared adolescent patients with suicide attempts versus either nonsuicidal psychiatric or normal controls, found evidence for problem-solving deficits in the attempters; however, few of the differences remain after controlling for depression and/or hopelessness. Because most of the studies are cross-sectional, it is difficult to differentiate between the possibilities that deficiencies in problem-solving skills lead to depression when adolescents are faced by adversity and hence to suicidal behavior, or whether depression is the main factor which undermines problem-solving skills. Future research, preferably with longitudinal research designs, is required to determine the nature of the association between problem-solving skills and suicidal behavior in adolescents. This has important implications for therapeutic interventions.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Learning the baby: a maternal thinking and problem-solving process.

PURPOSE: To describe a maternal problem-solving process from new mothers' day-to-day experience of caring for and developing a relationship with their babies. DESIGN: Qualitative study using grounded theory approach. SETTING: Mothers' homes (n = 23) and workplaces (n = 2). PARTICIPANTS: 25 mothers of babies from 2 weeks to 7 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Semi-structured interviews. RESULTS: "Learning the Baby" was a major thinking process that emerged. Systematic thinking dominated mothers' problem-solving. Even after the babies were comforted, mothers were not certain their efforts alleviated the babies' problems, because they usually were not certain of the problem. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers' thinking directs their caregiving actions. The findings were related to previous problem-solving and women's thinking perspectives. Nurses must use planned and unplanned encounters effectively to collaborate with and teach mothers about baby behavior and health care.

Adult↗

PubMed1988

Interpersonal problem solving in alcoholics.

In Study 1, a verbal role-playing test of interpersonal problem solving, the Adaptive Skills Battery (ASB), and selected "impersonal" neuropsychological problem-solving tests were given to male alcoholics (N = 73) in a VA alcohol treatment program and to male nonalcoholic controls (N = 36). Alcoholics' ASB competency scores under a "give your typical response" instructional set were significantly lower than controls' scores. In response to a "give the very best response" set, ASB scores for alcoholics and controls did not differ. Alcoholics' interpersonal problem-solving deficits appear to be due to their less effective execution of cognitive or problem-solving skills as opposed to their capacities for such skills. A lack of correlation between performance on impersonal neuropsychological tests and performance on the ASB suggests that these areas of functioning involve quite different psychological processes. In Study 2, alcoholics with alcoholic family members (family history positive) were found to have lower ASB scores than family history negative alcoholics. "Best" ASB responses were positively correlated with therapists' ratings of treatment behaviors and treatment outcome; "typical" ASB responses were not. Thus, alcoholics' therapeutic progress was predicted by their conceptualization of the "best" response in the interpersonal problem-solving situations and not by their typical pretreatment response.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Religious coping and problem-solving by couples faced with prostate cancer.

Religion can be an important resource for people struggling with chronic illness. Problem-solving skills have also been shown to be helpful. This study examined whether turning to religion as a coping resource would be associated with better problem-solving in couples trying to manage challenges associated with prostate cancer. The sample was 101 patients with prostate cancer and their wives. Wives completed the Social Problem-Solving Inventory--Revised at baseline (T1) and 10 weeks later (T2). Patients and their wives also completed a measure that included items on religious coping. These items were used to classify couples into four groups based on whether one or both members engaged in religious coping: (1) husband only, (2) wife only, (3) both husband and wife, and (4) neither husband nor wife. From T1 to T2, wives who used religious coping along with their husbands (group 3) showed a significantly greater reduction in dysfunctional problem-solving (specifically, on impulsive/careless problem-solving) in comparison with wives who used religious coping while their husbands did not (group 2). Findings suggest that when couples share in turning to religion as a source of coping, this may be associated with improved problem-solving, but sole engagement in religious coping by wives may be associated with worse problem-solving.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed2006

Cognitive predictors of skill acquisition on social problem solving in patients with schizophrenia.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the relationship between social problem solving ability, clinical features and cognitive functions, and determine the predictors of benefit from social problem solving training in 63 patients with schizophrenia. We administered Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Digit Span Test, Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and the Assessment of Interpersonal Problem Solving Skills (AIPSS). Only BPRS-positive symptoms subscale was negatively related to AIPSS on linear regression analysis. After the completion of the pretest, the patients were randomized to either problem solving training (n = 32) or control groups (n = 31). Patients in training group received 6 weeks problem solving training in-group modality, and those in control group were treated as usual. We readministered AIPSS at the end of 6 weeks. There were significant changes from pretest to posttest on AIPSS-total, AIPSS-receiving skills, and AIPSS-processing skills score in training group but not in control group. The number of correct answers in WCST and CPT hit rate were the predictors of post-training AIPSS scores in training group. Our findings suggest that skill acquisition on social problem solving is related with cognitive flexibility and sustained attention.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Problem solving and suicidality among prison inmates: another look at state versus trait.

This research examines the relationships between means-ends problem solving and suicidality among adult male prison inmates in light of new evidence based on inpatient and college student populations suggesting that state, rather than trait, vulnerabilities may be responsible for problem-solving deficits and differences. Using the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Procedure (MEPS) with 93 state prison inmates, we found that among inmates with a history of parasuicide, current suicidality did not affect problem-solving performance. We further found that among nonsuicidal inmates, parasuicide history had no effect on problem solving or affect-suicidality measures. Although these results support new research suggesting that trait problem-solving deficits are not causally linked to suicidality, they raise questions about the potentially unique relationships among suicidality, problem solving, depression, and hopelessness in incarcerated populations.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Eye movements and problem solving: guiding attention guides thought.

Overt visual attention during diagram-based problem solving, as measured by eye movements, has been used in numerous studies to reveal critical aspects of the problem-solving process that traditional measures like solution time and accuracy cannot address. In Experiment 1, we used this methodology to show that particular fixation patterns correlate with success in solving the tumor-and-lasers radiation problem. Given this correlation between attention to a particular diagram feature and problem-solving insight, we investigated participants' cognitive sensitivity to perceptual changes in that diagram feature. In Experiment 2, we found that perceptually highlighting the critical diagram component, identified in Experiment 1, significantly increased the frequency of correct solutions. Taking a situated perspective on cognition, we suggest that environmentally controlled perceptual properties can guide attention and eye movements in ways that assist in developing problem-solving insights that dramatically improve reasoning.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A developmental conceptualization of clinical problem solving.

A taxonomy for assessing clinician development in three areas of problem solving based upon cognitive learning theory (Shapiro & Moses, 1989) was applied to the analysis of videotaped clinical sessions involving three student clinicians. The purpose was to evaluate, from a developmental perspective, the clinical performance of clinicians rated by their supervisors as performing at different skill levels. Three developmental profiles in three domains of problem solving (perspective taking, variables considered, and solutions generated during clinical problem solving) were derived from these analyses. The results supported the application of a developmental conceptualization to the assessment and facilitation of problem-solving skills in the professional preparation of speech-language pathologists.

Adult↗