title: Interaction style, problem-solving behavior, and family problem-solving effectiveness.
abstract: We proposed that an individual's characteristic style of interaction will predict his or her problem-solving behavior and family problem-solving effectiveness. We test this hypothesis for mothers, fathers, and adolescent boys and girls (M age = 12.7 years) in 431 rural families using both warm and hostile interaction styles. One set of videotape coders observed a general family discussion and measured interaction style. A year later, another, independent set of coders observed a family problem-solving task. Family members reported family problem-solving effectiveness immediately following the problem-solving task. The results indicated that a hostile interaction style directly predicted destructive problem-solving behavior and indirectly predicted family problem-solving effectiveness. A warm interaction style related directly to constructive problem-solving behavior and indirectly to family problem-solving effectiveness.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology; D003142:Communication; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005783:Gender Identity; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010553:Personality Development; D011340:Problem Solving