E-ISSN : 2733-4538
The purpose of this study was to assess social problem solving deficits in depressives and to find out the variables which would affect social problem solving. Using the MEPS test and the SPSI, social problem solving ability in both hypothetical and personal situations and social problem solving attitude were measured in nonclinical depressed, nonclinical nondepressed, clinical depressed and clinical control groups. We found out that depressives showed a problem solving deficit as assessed in hypothetical situations, reports of problem solving bahavior in personal situations, and genenal attitudes towards problem solving. However no significant difference was obtained in terms of subjective rating variables. The present results suggested that depressives either might not know effective strategies(i.e. because lack of social knowledge) or that might not be able to produce effective strategies because of cognitive distortion or negative affect. Alternatively suggested that depressives might apply different criteria for effectiveness, and therefor develop objectively less effective strategies. Some implications for social problem solving therpy of depression were discussed.