title: Is Trait Rumination Associated with the Ability to Generate Effective Problem Solving Strategies? Utilizing Two Versions of the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Test.
abstract: This study examined the relationship between trait rumination and the effectiveness of problem solving strategies as assessed by the Means-Ends Problem-Solving Test (MEPS) in a nonclinical population. The present study extended previous studies in terms of using two instructions in the MEPS: the second-person, actual strategy instructions, which has been utilized in previous studies on rumination, and the third-person, ideal-strategy instructions, which is considered more suitable for assessing the effectiveness of problem solving strategies. We also replicated the association between rumination and each dimension of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised Short Version (SPSI-R:S). Japanese undergraduate students (N= 223) completed the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition, Ruminative Responses Scale (RRS), MEPS, and SPSI-R:S. One half of the sample completed the MEPS with the second-person, actual strategy instructions. The other participants completed the MEPS with the third-person, ideal-strategy instructions. The results showed that neither total RRS score, nor its subscale scores were significantly correlated with MEPS scores under either of the two instructions. These findings taken together with previous findings indicate that in nonclinical populations, trait rumination is not related to the effectiveness of problem solving strategies, but that state rumination while responding to the MEPS deteriorates the quality of strategies. The correlations between RRS and SPSI-R:S scores indicated that trait rumination in general, and its brooding subcomponent in particular are parts of cognitive and behavioral responses that attempt to avoid negative environmental and negative private events. Results also showed that reflection is a part of active problem solving.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Human Relations, Tokai Gakuin University, 5-68 Naka-kirino, Kakamigahara City, Gifu 504-8511 Japan.
authors.forename: Akira
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577 Japan.
authors.forename: Haruki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, Hirosaki University, 1 Bunkyo, Hirosaki City, Aomori 036-8560 Japan.
authors.forename: Yuko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mastuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, School of Human Sciences, Senshu University, 2-1-1, Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa 214-8580 Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kunisato
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Psychology, Hiroshima International University, 555-36 Kurose-gakuendai, Higashi-hiroshima, Hiroshima 739-2695 Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Medicine, Hirosaki University, 5 Zaifu-cho, Hirosaki City, Aomori 036-8562 Japan.
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adachi
keywords: Depression; Depressive rumination; Means-Ends Problem-Solving Test; Ruminative Responses Scale; Social problem solving