Premium
Maladjustment and socio‐cognitive problem solving: The validity of quantitative and qualitative assessment
Author(s) -
Pont H. B.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
british journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.479
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 2044-8260
pISSN - 0144-6657
DOI - 10.1111/j.2044-8260.1995.tb01436.x
Subject(s) - psychology , cognition , developmental psychology , context (archaeology) , psychological intervention , cognitive psychology , clinical psychology , psychiatry , paleontology , biology
General socio‐cognitive problem‐solving deficits have become accepted as the basis for applied interventions with maladjusted children despite conflicting findings and problematic assessment procedures. This study used Kendall's deficit/distortion distinction to compare the performance of conduct disorder and non‐problem boys on means‐ends and optional thinking measures, using both quantitative and qualitative indices. Although quantitative problem/non‐problem deficits were found, the pattern of results did not support the notion of a consistent maladjustment deficit. The nature of the qualitative differences, however, suggested a more specific role for the assessment of socio‐cognitive problem solving with increased emphasis on context and problem differentiation.