Social Problem Solving Measure (SPSM)
Measures children's social problem-solving strategies in response to hypothetical peer conflict and entry situations.
Scale Development & Technical Details
Scale Overview
The Social Problem Solving Measure (SPSM) was developed by Dodge, Bates, & Pettit (adapted by Aber, Brown, Jones, & Samples) (1995). It is designed to measure Social Problem Solving. The scale is intended for use with Children.
Scale Structure
This instrument consists of 8 items organized into 2 factors/subscales: Aggressive Strategy, Competent Strategy.
| Factor / Subscale | Items | N |
|---|---|---|
| Aggressive Strategy | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | 8 |
| Competent Strategy | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 | 8 |
Response Format
Respondents rate each item using a custom response format.
Response anchors: A = Option A, B = Option B, C = Option C, D = Option D, E = Option E.
Scoring
Items are scored by subscale, with each subscale sum representing a distinct dimension.
Psychometric Properties
Internal Consistency: The scale has demonstrated good to excellent internal consistency with reported Cronbach’s alpha values of Not specified.
Administration
The scale is self-administered and typically takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. It can be administered individually or in group settings. No special training is required for administration.