The Problem Solving Inventory (PSI)

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The PSI assesses an individual's awareness and evaluation of his or her problem-solving abilities or style, thus provides a global of that individual as a problem solver.The PSI is a self-reported measure . The PSI consists of 35 six-point Likert items (with 3 filler questions), which constitute 3 factors: Problem-Solving Confidence, Approach-Avoidance Style, and Personal Control. The questions were constructed by the authors as face valid measures of each of the five problem-solving stages, based on a revision of an earlier problem-solving inventory. The items were randomly ordered and written to contain an equal number of positive and negative statements about problem solving. Low scores indicate behaviors and attitudes typically associated with successful problem solving.

Content

Topics
Student Well-Being and Mental Health
Tags
Social and emotional learning
Grades
Post secondary
Languages
English
Respondent
Student

Administration Information

Length
10-15 minutes
Qualifications

The PSI should be administered and interpreted by professionals who have expertise in testing and knowledge about problem solving, and have normative information about the PSI.

Administration
Paper

Access and Use

Price

Not indicated

Link
https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.29.1.66
Use in Research

Dugas, M. J., Letarte, H., Rhéaume, J., Freeston, M. H., & Ladouceur, R. (1995). Worry and problem solving: Evidence of a specific relationship. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 19(1), 109-120. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02229679

Heppner, P. P., & Anderson, W. P. (1985). The relationship between problem-solving self-appraisal and psychological adjustment. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 9(4), 415-427. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01173090

Huang, Y., & Flores, L. Y. (2006). Exploring the validity of the Problem-Solving Inventory with Mexican American high school students. Journal of Career Assessment, 19(4), 431-441. https://doi.org/10.1177/1069072711409720

Ladouceur, R., Blais, F., Freeston, M. H., & Dugas, M. J. (1998). Problem solving and problem orientation in generalized anxiety disorder. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 12(2), 139-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0887-6185(98)00002-4

Nezu, A. M. (1986). Cognitive appraisal of problem solving effectiveness: Relation to depression and depressive symptoms. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 42(1), 42-48. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4679(198601)42:1<42::AID-JCLP2270420106>3.0.CO;2-2

Psychometrics

Scoring
Manual scoring
Psychometric References

D'Zurilla, T. J., & Nezu, A. M. (1990). Development and preliminary evaluation of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory. Psychological Assessment: A Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 2(2), 156-163. https://doi.org/10.1037/1040-3590.2.2.156

Heppner, P. P., & Petersen, C. H. (1982). The development and implications of a personal problem-solving inventory. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 29(1), 66-75. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0167.29.1.66

Maydeu-Olivares, A., & D'Zurilla, T. J. (1997). The factor structure of the Problem Solving Inventory. European Journal of Psychological Assessment, 13(3), 206-215. https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759.13.3.206

Sahin, N., Sahin, N. H., & Heppner, P. P. (1993). Psychometric properties of the problem solving inventory in a group of Turkish university students. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 17(4), 379-396. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01177661

Item Type
Likert