Schafer, Tanja (2010) Examining the Utility of the Problem Solving Inventory in the Indigenous Australian Context. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Problem solving is universal as all people, regardless of culture, solve problems every day. Early problem-solving research seemed to neglect the context of culture in such studies. Culture and cultural diversity, especially in a country like Australia, can at times represent significant challenges. On the other hand, cultural diversity can also present opportunities. Culture influences both behaviour and mental processes, and should be considered in psychological studies (Matsumoto & Juang, 2008). Despite this, many measures designed to gauge behaviours and feelings have been developed within the Western cultural context, with the Problem Solving Inventory (PSI) being one of them (Heppner, 1988). The PSI is a 35-item self-report questionnaire that estimates an individual’s appraisal of their problem solving ability (Heppner, 1988). Whilst some cross-cultural results have been mixed, largely the PSI has shown great support in cultures other than American populations (Heppner, Witty & Dixon, 2004a). Whilst this is encouraging, minimal research on the utility of the PSI has been conducted in Australia. Research of problem-solving appraisal is of worthy consideration, as according to the problem solving literature; self-perceived effective problem solving ability is linked with lower levels of mental health issues (Heppner, 2008; Heppner et al., 2004a). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience disadvantage in aspects such as health, education and employment (Brown, 2001). This study examined the validity of the PSI within an Indigenous Australian population (N=103) of employees. For the current study, participants completed self-report measures of the PSI, DASS-21 and a work engagement scale. The structural validity of the PSI within the Indigenous Australian population required further analyses. A shortened version developed after exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis found adequate construct validity, yet this new scale lacked an enhanced criterion validity. Considering the cultural influences on problem solving, these new findings on the PSI, although small, still hold great importance. Whilst mentioning earlier of the disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australians, prospects are and have been improving for Indigenous Australians. There are sources of great strength and resilience within Indigenous communities (Tsey et al., 2007) and these positive strengths should be acknowledged. This current study contributed to the employment domain by partially validating cross-cultural validity of the PSI. Finally, the study presents unique information regarding problem solving across a diverse population. The results have great implications for future problem-solving research.
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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: | Beccaria, Gavin |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology) |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Mar 2026 01:47 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Mar 2026 01:47 |
| 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/52732 |
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