Social Problem Solving, Mood, and Suicidality Among Inpatient Adolescents

Relationships between social problem solving, mood, & suicidality were examined in 105 adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Results indicated a negative problem orientation, as well as an avoidant or impulsive problem-solving style were associated with less favourable scores on measures of dysphoria, hopelessness, & anxiety, including greater reported suicidality. Structural equation modeling analyses revealed the relationships found between the former measures of social problem solving & suicidality were mediated by more direct associations of less-effective social problem solving with both dysphoria/state-depression & hopelessness. (37 refs.)