Affect regulation and decision making in health-care proffesionals: Typology approach

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between affect regulation styles and decision making in health-care professionals. The authors suppose that emotions and affect regulation are closely connected with decision making in professional situations. 133 health-care professionals participated in the study which employed Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire, Measure of Affect Regulation Styles, Multidimensional Health States Scale and subjective measure of decision making effectiveness. Using cluster analysis, the authors derived a typology of four types based on affect regulation strategies and well-being and ill-being variables. The individual types were compared in regard to decision making styles and decision self-efficacy. The results showed that highest subjective effectiveness and vigilance were found in types with high cognitive and behavioral engagement. Low subjective effectiveness with high hypervigilance, buck-passing and procrastination were found in types with low use of all affect regulation strategies, especially when they were connected with higher ill-being.