Exploration of the Structural and Convergent Validity of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised With Native American Youth

The structural invariance and concurrent validity of the Social Problem-Solving Inventory-Revised (SPSI-R) (D'Zurilla, Nezu, & Maydeu-Olivares, 2002) were explored with a sample of 699 rural Native American youth (mean age 15.9 years; 51.7% female) from the south central United States. Using confirmatory factor analysis, it was concluded that the structural integrity of the SPSI-R was largely upheld; however, differences with prior research emerged in response to one item, which may reflect cultural influences. Construct validity of the SPSI-R scales was supported through correlations with the Hope Scale (Snyder, Harris, Anderson, Holleran, Irving, Sigmon, ... Harney, 1991) in directions consistent with problem-solving theory and prior empirical research. Relationships between SPSI-R scales and acculturation also were examined. Implications are discussed regarding further research on social problem solving with diverse cultural groups.