Geytenbeek, Diane (2011) Investigation of the Psychometric Properties of the Problem-Solving Inventory as a 12-Item Measure in an Australian Population. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
There is increasing pressure for therapists to use brief, evidence-based interventions (e.g., Corey, 2009; Thomason, 2010). With the required reduction of therapy sessions, the limited time in each session now has increased value. Thus the need for short, efficient inventories is clear. Based on a review of over 120 studies, Heppner, Witty, and Dixon (2004) emphasised the importance of the construct of problem solving, as it has been found that perceived effective problem solvers generally have better psychological and physical health. Additionally, there are clear links between problem-solving appraisal and depression, anxiety (e.g., Larsen et al., 1990), positive affect and negative affect (e.g., Elliot, Sherwin, Harkins, & Marmarosh, 1995). Based on this knowledge, the need for a short, psychometrically sound problem-solving measure is apparent. Recent research has discovered a 12-item short form of the Problem-Solving Inventory (PSI-12; Beccaria & Machin, 2011). The current study aimed to (a) conduct a Confirmatory Factor Analysis on the proposed model in order to determine the structural validity of the PSI-12, (b) investigate the convergent validity of the PSI-12 utilising the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21-item (DASS-21) and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), and (c) conduct test-retest correlations to determine the stability of this measure over an approximate six week period. A cross-sectional, correlational and confirmatory factor analytic research design was applied. Participants from time one (N= 438) included 72 males and 366 females. Ages ranged from 16- 83 years, with a mean age of 34 years (SD= 13 years). This sample also consisted of a variety of cultures: Australian and New Zealand residents (N= 407), five of whom identified as being Indigenous Australians, British (N= 5), Canadian (N= 1), Chinese (N= 1), South African (N= 15), Southern Sudanese (N= 1), American (N= 2), Zimbabwean (N= 1) and another five whose culture was unidentified. University of Southern Queensland (USQ) students made up 62.1% of the sample (N=272), and 37.9% of the sample (N=166) were not USQ students. Time two participants (N= 207) consisted of 30 males and 177 females. The age of participants in this sample ranged from 18- 83 years, with a mean age of 37 years (SD= 13 years). This sample also consisted of a variety of cultures: Australian and New Zealand residents (N= 189), three of whom identified as being Indigenous Australians, British (N= 3), South African (N= 10), American (N= 2), and another three whose culture was unidentified. USQ students made up 64.7% of the sample (N= 134) with the remaining 35.3% of the sample (N= 73) being part of the wider population. Data were collected through an online survey on two separate occasions, with an approximate 6 week interim. Participants provided a chosen email address in order to match responses. For the purpose of the present study, measures utilised were the Problem Solving Inventory- Form B (Heppner & Petersen, 1982), Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (Watson, Clark, & Tellegen, 1988), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). All unstandardised parameter estimates and relationships between the latent variables were found to be significant (p<.001). Absolute, relative and parsimonious fit measures supported the proposed model using the more stringent cut offs proposed by Hu and Bentler (1999), confirming the structural validity of the PSI-12. The PSI-12 had adequate convergent validity within both samples, with the exception of the Planned Rational Problem Solving (PRPS) subscale, which produced some unexpected results. The stability of the four subscales was poor to moderate, which could be attributed to a number of limitations evident in the present study, such as the uncontrolled time frame between the collection of time one and time two data. Overall, the smaller number of items on the PSI-12 would reduce the completion time, therefore making it an appropriate measure to utilise in future research and practice, specifically in the framework of time-limited brief psychotherapy. The current study builds on previous research by replicating investigations into the psychometric properties of the PSI as a 12-item measure, utilising the wider Australian population, as well as exploring the test-retest reliability of this measure.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013) |
| Supervisors: | Gavin Beccaria |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 09 Nov 2025 23:49 |
| Last Modified: | 09 Nov 2025 23:49 |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52342 |
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