NCJ Number
220511
Journal
Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment Volume: 19 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 217-236
Date Published
September 2007
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study tested the reliability and validity of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R; D'Zurilla, Nezu, and Maydeu-Olivares, 2002), which is designed to measure social problemsolving, defined as "the self-directed cognitive behavioral process by which a person attempts to identify or discover effective or adaptive solutions for specific problems encountered in every day living."
Abstract
he SPSI-R was found to have good reliability as measured by internal consistency and test-retest reliability, as well as adequate validity. It has good convergent validity, as significant correlations were found between SPSI-R subscales and measures of self-esteem, impulsivity, and locus of control; however, SPSI-R subscales were found to correlate significantly with a measure of socially desirable responding. This finding is discussed in relation to recent research which suggests that impression management may not invalidate self-report measures. The SPSI-R was sensitive to sexual offender intervention, with problem-solving improving after treatment for both rapists and child molesters. Future research should cross-validate the SPSI-R with other behavioral outcomes in order to examine the external validity of the measure. The sample with which this testing was conducted consisted of 499 adult male sexual offenders incarcerated in the United Kingdom. All had participated in a cognitive-behavioral Sex Offender Treatment Program between April 2004 and April 2005. An additional sample of 30 sexual offenders was used for the test-retest reliability analysis. The sexual offenders completed all of the measures as part of a wider psychometric test battery designed to assess treatment need in sexual offenders. 5 tables and 66 references