The Relationship between Problem Solving Styles and Subjective Well-being in the University Students

Problem Solving is a cognitive-behavioral process through which the individual can recognize and initiate effective and adaptive strategies in coping with daily struggles. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between problem solving styles and subjective well-being in the university students. Given this, four hundred students (200 males and 200 females) were randomly selected from among undergraduate students in Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, and assessed in terms of problem solving styles and subjective well-being. Data analysis indicated that 63% of variance of subjective well-being could be explained by problem solving styles and regression coefficient of the problem solving styles could significantly predict the subjective well-being variations. The results also suggested that problem solving styles employed by university students when confronting problematic situations leads to adopting a type of life style based on innovation or frustration which is in turn regarded as a deciding factor in subjective well-being of them.