Characteristics of Social Problem Solving, Coping Strategies and Assertive Communication among 10-11 Year Olds

Abstract

Social problem-solving is a motivational-cognitive-emotional-behavioural process of solving social problems, which significantly influences the way individuals cope with negative situations, in which the individual's communication style also plays a crucial role. Identifying and becoming aware of communication styles (assertive, aggressive, submissive, passive-aggressive) will significantly contribute to recognising problem situations, thus preventing many conflicts. In this paper, we present the results of a survey of 10-11-year-olds (N = 182) to explore the characteristics of social problem-solving, assertive communication and coping strategies and their relationships, focusing on differences between girls and boys, as several previous studies have shown that gender characteristics are strongly related to several background variables and personality traits. The results suggest that students with a positive attitude towards their problems try to solve them through fact-focused and assertive communication, which is more typical for girls. The avoidant problem-solving style is most likely to be a passive or submissive communication style and is more common among boys. Identifying gender differences is a crucial objective of pre-development research; the research results will contribute to developing communication-based social problem-solving and coping programmes.