Skip to main content

Solution Focused vs Problem Focused Questions on Affect and Processing Speed among Individuals with Depression

Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

The present study investigated the effect of solution-focused and problem-focused questions on affect and processing speed in a sample of 60 individuals diagnosed with depression. Participants were equally and randomly assigned to the solution focused question group, problem focused question group, and delayed experimental group. The Beck depression inventory-II was used to assess the severity of depressive symptoms of the participants. The positive and negative affect schedule was used to measure affect. Symbol search and coding were used to measure the processing speed. Solution-focused questions significantly reduced negative affect and improved coding compared to problem-focused questions. Even though there was no significant interaction between the groups in positive affect and symbol search test performance, solution-focused questions caused simple effects in both. Findings imply the scope of solution-focused questions as psychological first aid in intervening depression. Possible long-term effects of solution-focused questions on individuals with depression were discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Data Availability

The datasets generated and analyzed during the current study are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.17632/9xyb3mn8w4.1.

References

  • Beck, A. T., Steer, R. A., & Brown, G. K. (1996). Beck depression inventory—2nd edition (BDI-II) (Vol. 10). Cham: Pearson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brailean, A., Comijs, H. C., Aartsen, M. J., Prince, M., Prina, A. M., Beekman, A., & Huisman, M. (2016). Late-life depression symptom dimensions and cognitive functioning in the longitudinal aging study Amsterdam (LASA). Journal of Affective Disorders, 201, 171–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2016.05.027

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Braunstein, K., & Grant, A. M. (2016). Approaching solutions or avoiding problems? The differential effects of approach and avoidance goals with solution-focused and problem-focused coaching questions. Coaching: an International Journal of Theory, Research and Practice, 9(2), 93–109. https://doi.org/10.1080/17521882.2016.1186705

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Crawford, J. R., & Henry, J. D. (2004). The positive and negative affect schedule (PANAS): Construct validity, measurement properties and normative data in a large non-clinical sample. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 43(3), 245–265. https://doi.org/10.1348/0144665031752934

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • De Shazer, S., Dolan, Y. M., Korman, H., Trepper, T. S., McCollum, E. E., & Berg, I. K. (2007). More than miracles: The state of the art of solution focused therapy. Haworth Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Estrada, B., & Beyebach, M. (2007). Solution focused therapy with depressed deaf persons. Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 18(3), 45–63. https://doi.org/10.1300/J085v18n03_04

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218–226.

    CAS  Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fry, A. F., & Hale, S. (1996). Processing speed, working memory, and fluid intelligence. Evidence for a developmental cascade. Psychological Science, 7(4), 237–241. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.1996.tb00366.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, E., Ratner, H., & Iveson, C. (2010). Briefer: A solution focused practice manual. Brief.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grant, A. M. (2012). Making positive change: A randomized study comparing solution-focused vs problem-focused coaching questions. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 31(2), 21–35. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2012.31.2.21

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grant, A. M., & O’Connor, S. A. (2010). The differential effects of solution-focused and problem-focused coaching questions: A pilot study with implications for practice. Industrial and Commercial Training, 42(2), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1108/00197851011026090

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Groth-Marnat, G. (2009). Handbook of psychological assessment. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrera-Guzmán, I., Gudayol-Ferré, E., Herrera-Guzmán, D., Guàrdia-Olmose, J., Hinojosa-Calvo, E., & Herrera-Abarca, J. E. (2009). Effects of selective serotonin reuptake and dual serotonergic–noradrenergic reuptake treatments on memory and mental processing speed in patients with major depressive disorder. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 43(9), 855–863. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.10.015

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, E. A., & O’Brien, K. A. (2013). Self-compassion soothes the savage EGO-threat system: Effects on negative affect, shame, rumination, and depressive symptoms. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 32(9), 939–963. https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.2013.32.9.939

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kail, R. (2000). Speed of information processing: Developmental change and links to intelligence. Journal of School Psychology, 38(1), 51–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4405(99)00036-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalb, R., Dörner, M., & Kalb, S. (2006). Opposite effects of depression and antidepressants on processing speed and error rate. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, 30(2), 244–250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2005.10.009

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, A. S., & Lichtenberger, E. O. (2006). Assessing adolescent and adult intelligence (3rd ed.). Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Knekt, P., Lindfors, O., Renlund, C., Kaipainen, M., Mäkelä, P., Järvikoski, A., Maljanen, T., Marttunen, M. J., Raitasalo, R., Härkänen, T., Virtala, E., Rissanen, H., Laine, H., Hannula, J., & Aalberg, V. (2004). A randomized trial on the effect of four forms of psychotherapy on depressive and anxiety disorders: Design, methods and results on the effectiveness of short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy and solution focused therapy during a one-year follow-up. Kela.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koorankot, J., Rajan, S. K., & Ashraf, Z. A. (2019). Solution-focused versus problem-focused questions: Effects on electrophysiological states and affective experiences. Journal of Systemic Therapies, 38(2), 64–78. https://doi.org/10.1521/jsyt.2019.38.2.64

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koorankot, J., Santhosh, K. R., Shabnam, F., & Latheef, S. A. (2017). Different types of questions in psychotherapy. Time effective psychosocial interventions in mental health (pp. 96–99). Association of Solution Focused Practices-India.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koorankot, J., & Shabnam, F. (2017). Solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) for issues related to sexual identity and orientation: A case report. International Journal of Indian Psychology, 4(4), 155–165. https://doi.org/10.25215/0404.114

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, M.-Y., Greene, G. J., Mentzer, R. A., Pinnell, S., & Niles, D. (2001). Solution-focused brief therapy and the treatment of depression: A pilot study. Journal of Brief Therapy, 1(1), 33–49.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • MacQueen, G. M., & Memedovich, K. A. (2016). Cognitive dysfunction in major depression and bipolar disorder: Assessment and treatment options. Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 71, 18–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/pcn.12463

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miloyan, B., Pachana, N. A., & Suddendorf, T. (2013). The future is here: A review of foresight systems in anxiety and depression. Cognition & Emotion, 28(5), 795–810. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699931.2013.863179

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miyake, A., Friedman, N. P., Emerson, M. J., Witzki, A. H., & Howerter, A. (2000). The unity and diversity of executive functions and their contributions to complex “frontal lobe” tasks: A latent variable analysis. Cognitive Psychology, 41(1), 49–100. https://doi.org/10.1006/cogp.1999.0734

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nebes, R. D., Butters, M. A., Mulsant, B. H., Pollock, B. G., Zmuda, M. D., Houck, P. R., & Reynolds, C. F. (2000). Decreased working memory and processing speed mediate cognitive impairment in geriatric depression. Psychological Medicine, 30, 679–691. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291799001968

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neipp, M.-C., Beyebach, M., Nuñez, R. M., & Martínez-González, M.-C. (2015). The effect of solution-focused versus problem-focused questions: A replication. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 42(3), 525–535. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmft.12140

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Papageorgiou, C., & Wells, A. (2003). An empirical test of a clinical metacognitive model of rumination and depression. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 27(3), 261–273. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023962332399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ray, R. D., Ochsner, K. N., Cooper, J. C., Robertson, E. R., Gabrieli, J. D., & Gross, J. J. (2005). Individual differences in trait rumination and the neural systems supporting cognitive reappraisal. Cognitive, Affective, & Behavioural Neuroscience, 5(2), 156–168. https://doi.org/10.3758/cabn.5.2.156

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwert, C., Aschenbrenner, S., Weisbrod, M., & Schröder, A. (2017). Cognitive impairments in unipolar depression: The impact of rumination. Psychopathology. https://doi.org/10.1159/000478785

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Siedlecki, K. L., Yazdani, N., Minahan, J., & Falzarano, F. (2020). Examining processing speed as a predictor of subjective wellbeing across age and time in the German aging survey. Aging, Neuropsychology and Cognition, 27(1), 66–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/13825585.2019.1585514

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Spasojević, J., & Alloy, L. B. (2001). Rumination as a common mechanism relating depressive risk factors to depression. Emotion, 1(1), 25–37. https://doi.org/10.1037/1528-3542.1.1.25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sptiz, G., Schönberger, M., & Ponsford, J. (2013). The relations among cognitive impairment, coping style, and emotional adjustment following traumatic brain injury. Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, 28(2), 116–125. https://doi.org/10.1097/HTR.0b013e3182452f4f

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegan, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: The PANAS scales. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 54(6), 1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.54.6.1063

    CAS  Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wechsler, D. (2013). Administration and scoring manual. NCS Pearson (India).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

A specific project grant does not fund this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Psychology, Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Kozhikode, Kerala, 673008, India

    Jaseem Koorankot & Afsal Moosa

  2. Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mercer University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA

    Adam Froerer

  3. Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to Be University), Bangalore, Karnataka, 560029, India

    Santhosh Kareepadath Rajan

Authors
  1. Jaseem Koorankot
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Afsal Moosa
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adam Froerer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Santhosh Kareepadath Rajan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Santhosh Kareepadath Rajan.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest. All the authors have read and approved the version to be published. All the authors agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Ethical Approval

The study was approved by the ethics committee at the Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS), Kerala, India. We certify that the study was performed in accordance with the ethical standards as laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments and the American Psychology Association code of ethics.

Consent to Participate

All the participants and their concerned bystanders provided informed consent to participate before data collection. In the current data, no identifying characteristics of the participants are involved.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Koorankot, J., Moosa, A., Froerer, A. et al. Solution Focused vs Problem Focused Questions on Affect and Processing Speed among Individuals with Depression. J Contemp Psychother (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-022-09549-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-022-09549-4

Keywords

  • Solution focused brief therapy
  • Solution focused questions
  • Depression
  • Affect
  • Processing speed