University of Illinois, (1964)
Professor, Clinical Psychology
Office Hours: Flexible, by appointment
Phone Number: (631) 632-7819
e-mail: : Thomas.Dzurilla@stonybrook.edu
Areas of Interest: Research interests are on the relationships between positive psychology variables (e.g., social problem solving, optimism, self-efficacy) and psychological and behavioral adjustment and physical health and (2) the efficacy of problem-solving training and other positive clinical interventions for the treatment and prevention of psychological and behavioral disorders and the facilitation of healthy behaviors.
Current Research:
Current and future studies focus on (a) the relationship between social problem solving and positive functioning, including optimal and superior functioning (e.g., competence, achievement, positive psychological well-being), (b) efficacy of a preventive intervention focusing on teaching parents how to effectively teach constructive problem-solving attitudes and skills to their pre- and early-adolescent children, (c) efficacy of problem-solving therapy for the treatment of GAD, (d) efficacy of a preventive problem-solving training program for adolescents and adults focusing on reducing stress and promoting a healthy lifestyle (i.e., overcoming obstacles to healthy eating habits, losing weight, avoiding substance abuse, increasing physical exercise, avoiding unsafe sex), (e) efficacy of a self-help problem-solving training manual for enhancing well-being, and (d) mediators and moderators of outcomes in problem-solving therapy.
D'Zurilla, T.J., Chang, E.C., Nottingham, E.J., IV, & Faccini, L. (1998). Social problem-solving
deficits and hopelessness, depression, and suicidality in college students and psychiatric
inpatients. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 54, 1-17.
D'Zurilla, T.J., & Nezu, A.M. (1999). Problem-solving therapy: A social competence
approach to clinical intervention (2nd ed.). New York: Springer.
D'Zurilla, T.J., & Nezu, A.M. (2000). Problem-solving therapies. In K.S. Dobson (Ed.),
Handbook of cognitive-behavioral therapies (2nd ed.) New York: Guilford.
D'Zurilla, T.J., Nezu, A.M., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2002). Social Problem-Solving Inventory-
Revised: Technical manual. North Tonawanda, N.Y.: Multi-Health Systems.
Belzer, K.D., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (2002). Social problem solving and trait anxiety as predictors of
worry in a college student population. Personality and Individual Differences, 33, 573-585.
D'Zurilla, T.J., Chang, E.C., & Sanna, L.J. (2003). Self-esteem and social problem solving as
predictors of aggression in college students. Journal of Social and Clinical
Psychology, 22, 424-440.
Jaffe, W.B., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (2003). Adolescent problem solving, parent problem solving,
and externalizing behavior in adolescents. BehaviorTherapy, 34, 295-311.
Chang, E.C., D'Zurilla, T.J., & Sanna, L.J. (Eds.) (2004). Social problem solving: Theory,
research, and training. Washington, D.C.: Americal Psychologial Association.
D'Zurilla, T.J., Nezu, A.M., & Maydeu-Olivares, A. (2004). Social problem solving:
Theory and Assessment. In E.C. Chang, T.J. D'Zurilla, & L.J. Sanna (Eds.),
Social Problem Solving: Theory, research, and training. Washington, D.C.: American
Psychological Association.
Nezu, A.M., D'Zurilla, T.J., Zwick, M.L., & Nezu, C.M. (2004). Problem-solving therapy for
adults. In E.C. Chang, T.J. D'Zurilla, & L.J. Sanna (Eds.), Social problem solving:
Theory, research, and training. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological Association.
D'Zurilla, T.J., Chang, E. W., & Sanna, L.J. (2004). Social problem solving: Current status
and future directions. In E.C. Chang, T.J. D'Zurilla, & L.J. Sanna (Eds.). Social problem
solving: Theory, research, and training. Washington, D.C.: American Psychological
Association.
Nezu, C.M., D'Zurilla, T.J., & Nezu, A.M. (2005). Problem-solving therapy: Theory, practice,
and application to sex offenders. In M. McMurran & J. McGuire (Eds.). Social problem
solving and offending: Evidence, evaluation, and evolution. Chichester, UK: Wiley.
Nezu, A.M., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (in press). Problem-solving therapy. In A. Freeman, A.M. Nezu,
C.M. Nezu, M. Reinecke, L.C. Sobell, & A. Wells (Eds.), International encyclopedia of
cognitive behavior therapy. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers.
Londahl, E.A., Tverskoy, A., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (in press). The relations of internalizing
symptoms to conflict and interpersonal problem solving in close relationships. Cognitive
Therapy and Research.
D'Zurilla, T.J., & Nezu, A.M. (in press). Problem-solving therapy: A positive approach to
clinical intervention. (3d ed.). New York: Springer.
Nezu, A.M., Nezu, C.M., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (in press). Solving life's problems: A 6-step guide to
enhanced well-being. New York: Springer.
Nezu, A.M., Nezu, C.M., & D'Zurilla, T.J. (in press). Problem-solving skills training. In G. Fink
(Ed.). Encyclopedia of stress (2nd ed.). New York: Elsevier.
