Investigating the Relationship Between Worry and Social Problem-Solving Attitudes and Performance

The present study investigated the state-dependent, performance-based problem-solving abilities of individuals with chronic worry. A 2 (group: high trait worry vs. low trait worry) X 2 (induction type: worry vs. neutral verbal mentation) factorial design was employed to investigate the differential effects of state worry, and neutral mentation as a control condition, on performance-based problem-solving effectiveness. Independent samples t-tests tested for group differences in self-reported problem-solving attitudes. Secondary objectives involved investigating the relationship between problem-solving effectiveness and working memory and attentional control, emotional dysregulation, and abstraction in verbal worry. Contrary to predictions, there were no significant within (i.e., mentation style) or between group (i.e., worry severity) differences on objective problem-solving performance. Previous findings that individuals with chronic worry endorse greater tendencies to self-report unconstructive problem solving attitudes were replicated. Findings suggest that when employing problem-solving interventions with a high worry population, emphasis should be placed on changing maladaptive problem attitudes.