The Instrumental Role of Problem-Solving Skills in the Relationship Between Wellness and Life Satisfaction in Adolescents

Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology Vol.8 Issue.2

Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.26.2.11

RESEARCH ARTICLE / ARAŞTIRMA YAZISI

The Instrumental Role of Problem-Solving Skills in the Relationship Between Wellness and Life Satisfaction in Adolescents

Ergenlerde Sağlıklı Yaşam ve Yaşam Memnuniyeti Arasindaki İlişkide Problem Çözme Becerilerinin Aracı Rolü

Fatih Bal¹ , Merve Çalık², Hale Kayhaoğlu Çkmakçı³

Abstract:

Adolescence is a critical developmental period characterized by significant cognitive, emotional, and social changes that shape psychological adjustment, during which well-being and life satisfaction emerge as important indicators of mental health. Within this context, problem-solving skills are theoretically considered a potential mediating mechanism, as they facilitate adaptive coping, cognitive appraisal, and effective management of daily stressors. This study examined the mediating role of problem-solving skills in the relationship between adolescents’ well-being and life satisfaction using a correlational research design with 460 high school students in Sakarya, Türkiye. The findings indicated a moderate, positive association between well-being and life satisfaction. Gender differences revealed that female adolescents reported higher levels of well-being and problem-solving skills, whereas male adolescents reported higher life satisfaction. Contrary to expectations, problem-solving skills did not significantly mediate the relationship between well-being and life satisfaction, suggesting that cognitive problem-solving abilities may not be a primary explanatory mechanism for this association in adolescence. Instead, affective and relational processes, such as emotional regulation and perceived social connectedness, may play a more central role by directly influencing adolescents’ emotional experiences and overall life evaluations. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of multidimensional and gender-sensitive approaches in interventions aimed at enhancing adolescents’ psychological well-being.

Keywords: Adolescence, Well-being, Life satisfaction, Problem-solving skills, Mediating role.

¹Sakarya University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Sakarya, Türkiye.

²Ministry of National Education, Sakarya, Türkiye.

³Atlas University, Human and Social Sciences, Department of Psychology, İstanbul, Türkiye.

Address of Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: Sakarya University, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, A Block, Department of Psychology, Esentepe Campus 54187 Serdivan, Sakarya, Türkiye. E-mail: [email protected].

Date of Received/Geliş Tarihi: 08.03.2025, Date of Revision/Düzeltme Tarihi: 15.06.2026, Date of Acceptance/Kabul Tarihi: 13.06.2026, Date of Online Publication/Çevirimiçi Yayın Tarihi: 15.06.2026

Citing/Referans Gösterimi: Bal, F., Çalık, M., & Kahyaoğlu Çakmakcı, H. (2026). The instrumental role of problem-solving skills in the relationship between wellness and life satisfaction in adolescents, Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 8(2), 200-207, Doi: 10.35365/ctjpp. 26.2.11.

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Cyprus Mental Health Institute / Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology (www.ktppdergisi.com). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/