Behavioral correlates of self-appraised problem-solving ability: Problem-solving skills and health-compromising behaviors

According to the revised social problemsolving model, problem solving skills should be associated with cognitive and behavioral attempts to solve or prevent personal problems. We reasoned that the ApproachAvoidance scale on the ProblemSolving Inventory (PSI; Heppner, 1988) measures problemsolving skills as defined in the model, and predicted that scores on this factor would be predictive of healthcompromising behaviors among 96 undergraduate students. An aspect of the problemorientation component would be predictive of global health perceptions. Ineffective problemsolving skills were associated with greater alcohol intake over a 2week period, and with more sedentary leisure behavior on retrospective and prospective measures. Perceived control over emotions was predictive of health perceptions, as hypothesized. However, elements of problem solving were unrelated to tobacco use, illicit drug use, and exercise behaviors.

Behavioral correlates of self-appraised problem-solving ability: Problem-solving skills and health-compromising behaviors Academic Article