title: Problem-solving variability in older spouses: how is it linked to problem-, person-, and couple-characteristics?
abstract: Problem-solving does not take place in isolation and often involves social others such as spouses. Using repeated daily life assessments from 98 older spouses (M age = 72 years; M marriage length = 42 years), the present study examined theoretical notions from social-contextual models of coping regarding (a) the origins of problem-solving variability and (b) associations between problem-solving and specific problem-, person-, and couple- characteristics. Multilevel models indicate that the lion's share of variability in everyday problem-solving is located at the level of the problem situation. Importantly, participants reported more proactive emotion regulation and collaborative problem-solving for social than nonsocial problems. We also found person-specific consistencies in problem-solving. That is, older spouses high in Neuroticism reported more problems across the study period as well as less instrumental problem-solving and more passive emotion regulation than older spouses low in Neuroticism. Contrary to expectations, relationship satisfaction was unrelated to problem-solving in the present sample. Results are in line with the stress and coping literature in demonstrating that everyday problem-solving is a dynamic process that has to be viewed in the broader context in which it occurs. Our findings also complement previous laboratory-based work on everyday problem-solving by underscoring the benefits of examining everyday problem-solving as it unfolds in spouses' own environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. choppmann@psych.ubc.ca
authors.forename: Christiane A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hoppmann
authors.forename: Fredda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Blanchard-Fields
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D010551:Personality; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011340:Problem Solving; D018454:Spouses / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires