Every day we make thousands of decisions, starting with what to eat for breakfast and what to wear. We make so many decisions that we don’t count.
But it is important to understand how we make choices. This is because the approach we take can affect our mental health.
For the past eight years, I have been researching how young people (15-25) make decisions – especially decisions that have an impact on their mental health. Mental health is a important health and social interestshaping the lives of young people worldwide.
In one recent studyexamined whether decision-making styles contribute to anxiety and depression among young adults in South Africa.
A decision-making style is evaluating all possible options and choosing the one that would lead to the best outcome. This is called vigilance decision making.
The second approach is to make “rush” decisions or postpone making a decision.
I found that mindful decision makers typically had lower symptoms of anxiety and depression. Young adults who delayed or rushed their decisions had more symptoms of anxiety and depression.
In the total study group, 37.3% were at risk for a major depressive disorder diagnosis and 74.2% were at risk for an anxiety disorder. These risks were high because hasty or late decision makers made up a large proportion of the overall group.
Understanding the impact of decision-making on mental health helps us recognize whether our choices support or undermine emotional well-being.
High stress levels
My research study involved 1,411 young South Africans from eight of the country’s nine provinces. Each completed an online questionnaire that measured how they made decisions along with their levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The types of questions asked included how they would rate statements such as ‘I like to consider all alternatives’ or ‘I put off making decisions’.
The young people in the study were in a stage of development called “emerging adulthood” – between 18 and 29 years old. Young people in this age group experience high levels of stress and uncertainty, often due to their changing role in society. They decide what career path to take or take on more adult-like roles.
The study participants were at a stage in their lives where they could easily develop a disorder. Many mental health disorders begin to develop by the age of 15. However, it is estimated that by the age of 25 close to 63%-75% of mental health disorders would be present.
When a person has to make a decision, time plays a big role. It can affect whether the person uses a watchful style or a hasty approach. And this approach, in turn, can reduce or create anxiety.
For example, if a young person needs to decide what contraceptive to use and has the time to do a thorough search of all possible contraceptive options and is optimistic about finding the best one, they may arrive at a decision that will be the best. for them. The young person is able to evaluate all possible options without stress or concern for time.
But when a concern about time arises and leads to a more hasty decision, or when a decision is delayed for a later stage due to pressure, it is likely to lead to an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression. An example is deciding which degree to pursue at university while the application deadline approaches.
In the study, an advanced statistical analysis technique was used to examine the relationships between decision-making styles and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Using this analysis technique I was able to predict which of the decision-making styles were associated with anxiety and depression symptoms among the youth in the study.
Steps to take when making decisions
Having time on your side often allows for better choices. So it’s worth looking at some useful steps when making decisions:
Identify the problem or situation clearly.
Consider all possible solutions or options that are available.
Research the pros and cons of each solution or option.
Determine which of the solutions or options would lead to the best outcome for you, based on the problem or situation.
Then, if you’re still unsure, you could consult someone you trust who has made good decisions in the past.
These five steps are similar to the vigilant decision-making style.
Looking forward to it
Globally, there is a gap in our understanding mental health in young people. Studying how people make decisions allows researchers to better understand how their choices shape their mental health. It is then possible to develop programs that support decision-making that leads to positive mental health outcomes.
It is even more important today, when major trends such as the impact of climate change and the (unsafe) digital world are affecting mental health.
