The relationship between problem solving and activity level in the elderly

Research stemming from disengagement and activity theory has recently focused on individual differences in establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. A specific intervening variable which has been hypothesized to be related to social activity level is interpersonal cognitive problem solving skills (ICPS). The present study identified two groups of elderly veterans on the basis of their ICPS skills. Those who generated a high number of solutions to interpersonal problems reported significantly more time spent in social and isolated goal-directed tasks than the group generating fewer solutions when age, educational level, and length of institutionalization had been covaried. The results suggest the potential usefulness of the ICPS approach as a means of identifying socially active individuals and as an intervention or training technique for less able institutionalized residents.