Ambivalence In Decisions Research Articles

Ambivalence in decision making: An eye tracking study

An intuition of ambivalence in cognition is particularly strong for complex decisions, for which the merits and demerits of different options are roughly equal but hard to compare. We examined information search in an experimental paradigm which tasked participants with an ambivalent question, while monitoring attentional dynamics concerning the information relevant to each option in different Areas of Interest (AOIs). We developed two dynamical models for describing eye tracking curves, for each response separately. The models incorporated a drift mechanism towards the various options, as in standard drift diffusion theory. In addition, they included a mechanism for intrinsic oscillation, which competed with the drift process and undermined eventual stabilization of the dynamics. The two models varied in the range of drift processes postulated. Higher support was observed for the simpler model, which only included drifts from an uncertainty state to either of two certainty states. In addition, model parameters could be weakly related to the eventual decision, complementing our knowledge of the way eye tracking structure relates to decision (notably the gaze cascade effect).

Predictors of decision ambivalence and the differences between actual living liver donors and potential living liver donors.

BackgroundThe decision to become a living liver donor is a stressful event. Ambivalence in decision making may result in psychological distress. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a description of the ambivalence of potential living liver donors, to examine the predictors of ambivalence, and to compare the ambivalence of potential living liver donors with that of actual living liver donors.MethodsThis descriptive and correlational study was conducted in a medical center from August 2013 to December 2015. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect data. A total of 263 potential living liver donors who were assessed for donation to their parents were included in this study.ResultsThe mean age of the total sample was 30.7 years (SD = 6.39, range = 20–47), and males comprised 53.6% of the sample. The majority of the potential donors had a college education (70.8%) and were single (63.5%). Of the total sample, the mean score for ambivalence was 4.27 (SD = 1.87, range = 0–7). Multivariate analysis revealed that the Mental Component Summary (MCS) of quality of life (β = -0.24, p < 0.01), family support (β = -0.17, p = 0.007), and intimacy (β = -0.13, p = 0.04) were significant protective predictors of ambivalence. Actual living liver donors had significantly lower ambivalence (3.82 versus 4.60), higher intimacy with recipients (3.55 versus 3.34), higher MCS (45.26 versus 42.80), and higher family support (34.39 versus 29.79) than did the remaining potential living liver donors.ConclusionAmbivalence is common in potential living liver donors. The MCS of quality of life, family support, and intimacy were protective predictors in terms of ambivalence. Future research should explore other factors and design interventions targeted toward reducing ambivalence, promoting family support, and enhancing the mental dimensions of quality of life in potential living liver donors.

Role of Motivation for Behavior Change in Treatment Retention Amongst a Group of Illicit Drug Users: A Study From Iran

Background: A change in behavior is one of the most important components of readiness for drug use treatment in Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine ones willingness to change and continue treatment amongst patients receiving opium tincture (OT) maintenance treatment in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in 2014. Overall, 140 participants were selected from clients who were referred by a non-governmental organization providing OT, Congress 60, to four drug use treatment centers. At the start of the study, the questionnaire; stages of change readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale were completed. After three months, participants were divided into two groups of retention and relapse. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and by performing an independent t-test. Results: There was no significant difference between the retention group and relapse group regarding demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). Motivation for change was higher in the retention group compared to the relapse group and their differences were significant (P < 0.001). Group differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001) in rates of recognition, ambivalence and taking steps. Conclusions: In drug-dependent clients, motivation for behavior change is one of the most effective factors for treatment retention. Motivation for behavior change is composed of better recognition of the problem, higher rates of taking steps and less ambivalence in decision making. Further studies are suggested.

Role of Motivation for Behavior Change in Treatment Retention Amongst a Group of Illicit Drug Users: A Study From Iran

Background: A change in behavior is one of the most important components of readiness for drug use treatment in Iran. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine ones willingness to change and continue treatment amongst patients receiving opium tincture (OT) maintenance treatment in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This longitudinal study was conducted in 2014. Overall, 140 participants were selected from clients who were referred by a non-governmental organization providing OT, Congress 60, to four drug use treatment centers. At the start of the study, the questionnaire; stages of change readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale were completed. After three months, participants were divided into two groups of retention and relapse. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21 and by performing an independent t-test. Results: There was no significant difference between the retention group and relapse group regarding demographic characteristics (P > 0.05). Motivation for change was higher in the retention group compared to the relapse group and their differences were significant (P < 0.001). Group differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001) in rates of recognition, ambivalence and taking steps. Conclusions: In drug-dependent clients, motivation for behavior change is one of the most effective factors for treatment retention. Motivation for behavior change is composed of better recognition of the problem, higher rates of taking steps and less ambivalence in decision making. Further studies are suggested.

Ambivalence and obesity stigma in decisions about weight management: A qualitative study

Background: Many adults do not take up weight management interventions even after apparently deciding to do so. Further research about decision making prior to the intervention would be useful. This paper presents a qualitative study exploring the process of decision making and the influences of obesity stigma. Methods: A pragmatic qualitative methodology, conducting indepth interviews with 52 participants all with BMI > 30 kg/m2 and experience of efforts at weight management. Equal numbers of men and women with mean age 56.9 years completed interviews. Inductive analyses proceeded through systematic steps over a series of iterations. Findings: Decision making is difficult in the context of on-going mixed feelings over a long time. Thoughts and feelings become ingrained with habits and it is hard to separate out what is needed to think through a good decision. Thinking about weight brings a large volume of thoughts and feelings and apparent options or action choices. The volume of thoughts makes decisions difficult but, in the context of obesity stigma, many of the thoughts are negative. A variable sensitivity to these stigma-related thoughts adds further ambivalence and inhibition for taking deciions. The need for further thinking does not stand out in the context of the emotional resolving of thoughts about personal responsibility arising from obesity stigma. Conclusions: Obesity stigma contributes to a deeper ambivalence in the decision process and hence difficulty in decision making about weight management. Decision aid interventions and training of health care staff in communication skills for shared decision making are needed.

Ambivalence in Adolescents' Decisions about Having Their First Sexual Intercourse

This study, based on sexual script theory, assessed ambivalence in the decision to have sexual intercourse for the first time in 687 adolescents. On average, adolescents showed moderate levels of ambivalence. Younger adolescents, students from the highest school track, adolescents with less positive body image, those with higher love attitudes, those who did not take the initiative to have intercourse, and those feeling pressured to have sex showed higher levels of ambivalence during their decisions. Higher levels of decisional ambivalence about having intercourse were associated with a later age at the time of first intercourse and with a lower probability of contraceptive use. This study concludes that some levels of ambivalence are common in young people's decisions about having coitus as they have to negotiate contradictory sexual scripts, beliefs, and needs.

Ambivalence in decisions about childbearing

We analysed associations of sociodemographic variables, goals, values of children, and partner variables with ambivalence about childbearing and desired number of children in 267 young adults. Ambivalence was associated with lower perceived importance of parenthood, higher importance of prosperity, higher perceived costs of having children, lack of a positive attitude of the partner toward parenthood, and sociodemographic variables. Individuals with high levels of ambivalence were more likely to postpone the decision, and postponing predicted a lower number of desired children.