Problem-Solving Appraisal, Health Complaints, and Health-Related Expectancies.

The authors examined the relation of problem-solving appraisal to health complaints and health-related expectancies among 321 undergraduates. Results indicated that self-appraised effective problem solvers reported fewer current physical symptoms during the 3 weeks prior to assessment and fewer health problems on the day of assessment than did ineffective problem solvers. Self-appraised effective problem solvers also had greater internal and lower chance expectancies for health outcomes than did ineffective problem solvers. Ineffective self-appraised problem solvers reported more negative health perceptions 3 months later during the week of final examinations, Personal control over emotional experiences when engaging in problem solving was significantly predictive of health perceptions. Results are integrated with theoretical models of problem solving and behavioral health. Implications for counseling are discussed.