Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2026
06:15
A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents
Published on: July 10, 2017
Social problem-solving in depressed, conduct-disordered, and normal adolescents
R D Joffe1, K S Dobson, S Fine
1University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|October 1, 1990
Summary
Adolescents with conduct disorder, but not depression, show significant social problem-solving deficits compared to peers. This research highlights distinct cognitive patterns in these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Social problem-solving deficits are theorized to link depression and aggressive disorders.
- Previous research has not specifically compared diagnosed adolescent groups for these deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate social problem-solving abilities in adolescents diagnosed with major depression and conduct disorder.
- To compare these abilities against a healthy control group.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Means-Ends Problem-Solving task (MEPS) and Social Situations Analysis (SSA) measures.
- Assessed three groups: adolescents with major depression, conduct disorder, and a normal control group.
Main Results:
- No significant social problem-solving deficits were found in the depressed group compared to controls.
- Adolescents with conduct disorder demonstrated clear social problem-solving deficits.
- Conduct-disordered adolescents generated fewer solutions, anticipated fewer obstacles, and proposed fewer assertive behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Social problem-solving deficits are specifically associated with conduct disorder in adolescents, not major depression.
- Findings suggest distinct cognitive pathways for depression and conduct disorder in youth.
- Further research is needed to explore these differences and inform interventions.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
02:04Bullying
A modern form of aggression is bullying. As you learn in your study of child development, socializing and playing with other children is beneficial for children’s psychological development. However, as you may have experienced as a child, not all play behavior has positive outcomes. Some children are aggressive and want to play roughly. Other children are selfish and do not want to share toys. One form of negative social interactions among children that has become a national concern is bullying.
01:18Cognitive Development During Adolescence
During adolescence, individuals experience significant cognitive development that enhances their understanding of others' emotions and thoughts, known as cognitive empathy. This period is marked by an increased ability to adapt to others' perspectives and a more nuanced understanding of others' mental states, a skill that is foundational for social problem-solving and conflict avoidance. The development of cognitive empathy relies heavily on the theory of mind — the recognition that people have...
01:27Coping Strategies: Problem Focused
Coping strategies are methods people use to manage, tolerate, or reduce the effects of stressors. These strategies involve both behavioral and psychological actions to handle stressful situations. One common approach is problem-focused coping, which aims to change or eliminate the source of stress rather than merely addressing its consequences. This method involves taking direct action to resolve the issue causing stress.
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
For example, consider a student who struggles to understand their...
01:19Introduction to Psychological Disorders
Abnormal behavior, often referred to as mental illness, results from changes in brain function that influence thought patterns, behaviors, and social interactions. Psychologists and psychiatrists typically assess abnormal behavior using three primary criteria: deviance, maladaptation, and personal distress, particularly when these traits persist over long periods.
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
Deviant Behavior
Deviance in behavior refers to actions or thought patterns that significantly diverge from societal norms or...
01:28Conduct Disorder
Conduct disorder is a complex mental health diagnosis characterized by a repetitive and persistent pattern of behavior that violates societal norms, the rights of others, or age-appropriate rules. The diagnostic criteria for conduct disorder require the presence of at least three problematic behaviors within the past 12 months, with at least one occurring in the past six months. These behaviors are grouped into four categories: aggression toward people and animals; destruction of property;...