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 Question- naire, 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 strate- gies, especially when they were connected with higher ill-being.