Preferences for Participation in Decision Making Among Ethnically Diverse Patients with Anxiety and Depression

Abstract

This study explored preferences for treatment decision making using the Control Preferences Scale and Problem Solving Decision Making Scale among a sample of ethnically diverse adults (N = 60) seeking treatment for anxiety and depression. Most participants expressed a desire for participation in shared decision making. Being Hispanic was significantly associated with a more passive role in decision making. Participants preferred more involvement in decision making versus problem solving tasks for both mental and general health vignettes, and more involvement in mental health versus general health decision-making. More research is needed to confirm tentative results on the influence of sociodemographic variables on preferences for role and participation in treatment decision making and the variation in these preferences. Treatment seeking individuals with anxiety and depression have identifiable preferences for participation in decision making. Asking about patient preferences and a better understanding of variability in preferences may improve patient-provider communication.