Age and Gender Differences in Social Problem Solving Skills of 9-11 year-old children

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to test the reliability and validity of Social Problem Solving Skills Test Turkish Form within 9 to 11 years old children, and also to investigate social problem solving skills of children (144 children; 72 boys and 72 girls) with regard to age and sex. The Turkish form was evaluated with the analyses of test-retest, inter-rater consistency, and internal consistency coefficients. For content validity, three experts’ opinions were consulted. Results showed that Social Problem Solving Skills Test Turkish Form is a reliable test, evaluating social problem solving skills of children aged 9 to 11 years. Assessments in relation to sex and age showed that, girls produce more solutions than boys for object acquisition and friendship initiation issues. Additionally, 10-11 aged children produce more solutions in object acquisition issues and 11 aged children use more varied strategies about object acquisition, and if the strategy for solving the problem fails, be more successful with producing new strategies with respect to 9 years old children. In conclusion, it was thought that the results that presented evidence for reliability of Social Problem Solving Test and for age and gender differences in social problem solving skills elucidate assessment of social problem solving skills and future research on this topic.