Evaluation of a cognitive tool for enhanced problem-solving and coping

Abstract

Many individuals have difficulty with problem-solving and coping, a phenomenon often exacerbated by excessive rumination over past trauma, and worry about the future. The present study examined the impact of a "fill-in-the-node" spatial display that guides participants through a systematic written examination of alternatives and action plans for managing difficult experiences in the future. The use of this cognitive tool will be combined with a session of problem-based writing (Pennebaker, 1996), a method commonly used to cope with past traumatic experiences. A group given the combination of one session of problem-based writing followed by a second session using the cognitive tool ACED IT was compared with a group receiving two sessions of past-oriented problem-based writing, a group given an initial session of past-oriented problem-based writing followed by a session of future-oriented problem-based writing, and with a group given no treatment. The results revealed that participants that completed two sessions of past-oriented problem-based writing reported less rumination and avoidant behavior than participants that completed future-oriented problem-based writing or control questionnaires. Additionally, participants in the past-oriented problem-based writing were also less likely to report a tendency to re-experience trauma than those who completed a future-oriented session or control questionnaires. Finally, participants that completed ACED IT reported a greater likelihood to revise their future coping strategies and include others in future coping than participants in all other groups.