A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students

Social problem-solving is a critical skill that enables individuals to effectively cope with real-life challenges. For college students, enhancing this ability is essential for successful adaptation to post-graduation life. While previous reviews have primarily focused on improving social problem-so...

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Main Authors: Wang Weiyi, Aini Marina Ma’rof, Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1509641/full
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author Wang Weiyi
Wang Weiyi
Aini Marina Ma’rof
Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin
author_facet Wang Weiyi
Wang Weiyi
Aini Marina Ma’rof
Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin
author_sort Wang Weiyi
collection DOAJ
description Social problem-solving is a critical skill that enables individuals to effectively cope with real-life challenges. For college students, enhancing this ability is essential for successful adaptation to post-graduation life. While previous reviews have primarily focused on improving social problem-solving skills in adolescents and younger students, or have examined its role in mental health disorders, few have systematically explored intervention programs specifically targeting college populations. This scoping review aimed to investigate the characteristics, underlying theoretical frameworks, and implementation strategies of social problem-solving training programs for college students. An extensive literature search was conducted in February 2024, followed by thematic analysis to synthesize the findings. Fourteen relevant studies were identified. Of these, eleven employed group-based training formats, while the remaining three involved a one-time induction, an online training module, and specialized training for nursing students conducted in a hospital unit. Most interventions were grounded in cognitive–behavioral and psychoeducational approaches. Thematic analysis revealed two primary dimensions: training format and training content. The training content generally emphasized knowledge acquisition, attitude development, and practical skills such as interpersonal communication and emotional regulation. These interventions, typically delivered over multiple sessions in team-based settings, were found to be effective in enhancing students’ social competence and problem-solving abilities.
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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spelling doaj-art-d8fe724df1664142b0d8365bddd9f05f2025-08-20T03:08:53ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-05-011010.3389/feduc.2025.15096411509641A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college studentsWang Weiyi0Wang Weiyi1Aini Marina Ma’rof2Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin3Department of Foundations of Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MalaysiaDepartment of Foundations of Education, Zhongyuan Institute of Science and Technology, Zhengzhou, ChinaDepartment of Foundations of Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MalaysiaDepartment of Foundations of Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MalaysiaSocial problem-solving is a critical skill that enables individuals to effectively cope with real-life challenges. For college students, enhancing this ability is essential for successful adaptation to post-graduation life. While previous reviews have primarily focused on improving social problem-solving skills in adolescents and younger students, or have examined its role in mental health disorders, few have systematically explored intervention programs specifically targeting college populations. This scoping review aimed to investigate the characteristics, underlying theoretical frameworks, and implementation strategies of social problem-solving training programs for college students. An extensive literature search was conducted in February 2024, followed by thematic analysis to synthesize the findings. Fourteen relevant studies were identified. Of these, eleven employed group-based training formats, while the remaining three involved a one-time induction, an online training module, and specialized training for nursing students conducted in a hospital unit. Most interventions were grounded in cognitive–behavioral and psychoeducational approaches. Thematic analysis revealed two primary dimensions: training format and training content. The training content generally emphasized knowledge acquisition, attitude development, and practical skills such as interpersonal communication and emotional regulation. These interventions, typically delivered over multiple sessions in team-based settings, were found to be effective in enhancing students’ social competence and problem-solving abilities.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1509641/fullsocial problem-solvingcollege studentsinterventionscopingreview
spellingShingle Wang Weiyi
Wang Weiyi
Aini Marina Ma’rof
Nur Aimi Nasuha Burhanuddin
A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
Frontiers in Education
social problem-solving
college students
intervention
scoping
review
title A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
title_full A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
title_fullStr A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
title_full_unstemmed A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
title_short A scoping review on social problem-solving interventions for college students
title_sort scoping review on social problem solving interventions for college students
topic social problem-solving
college students
intervention
scoping
review
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1509641/full
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