Exploring the relationship between problem-solving skills and prosocial behaviors in adolescents in Turkey

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the relationship between problem-solving skills, which are crucial for overcoming the challenges adolescents face in social interactions, and prosocial behaviors that reflect social adaptation and empathy. It is anticipated that the findings will pave the way for the development of effective educational programs to support adolescents' social and emotional development. METHOD: This descriptive, analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted with adolescents aged 10-14 years who were enrolled in secondary education institutions in the central district of a province in Turkey. No sampling procedure was employed; rather, the study included the entire accessible population. The sample consisted of 1,000 adolescents who voluntarily agreed to participate in the research. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the "Sociodemographic Questionnaire," the "Problem Solving Inventory for Children," and the "Adolescent Prosociality Scale." RESULTS: The mean age of the adolescents who participated in the study was 12.07 ± 1.274 years, and 27% of them were female. The total mean score for the Problem Solving Inventory was 74.20 ± 22.32, while the total mean score for the Prosociality Scale was 64.75 ± 12.85. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between adolescents' total problem-solving scores (r = 0.356) and confidence subscale scores (r = 0.484) with their prosociality scores (p < 0.001). Conversely, as the scores for the self-control (r = - 0.276) and avoidance (r = - 0.147) subscales increased, prosociality scores significantly decreased (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Adolescents with higher problem-solving skills were found to exhibit a greater tendency toward prosocial behaviors, particularly when their sense of confidence was strong. In contrast, self-control and avoidance behaviors were found to have a negative influence on adolescents' levels of prosociality.