New approaches to maximization: evidence of correlations with malaise and well-being in the chilean adult population / Nuevos enfoques de maximización: evidencia de correlaciones con malestar y bienestar en población chilena adulta

Abstract There is a lack of theoretical consensus about the decision-making process and particularly regarding the maximization construct. Recently, two conceptual approaches to maximization and their respective instruments were proposed. The first defines maximization as consisting of two dimensions, goal and strategy. The second differentiates between the two types of maximization according to the way an individual makes decisions, one is resolute and the other is fearful. Regarding the first approach, empirical goal and strategy relationships with emotional consequences on well-being and discomfort are unknown while deciding, while it is doubt whether the distinction proposed in the second approach also applies to the adult population and in contexts different from the European one. Empirical associations are evaluated here for each approach regarding indicators of malaise and well-being through a set of hypotheses. A sample of 624 Chilean adults of both sexes (20 to 70 years old) answered eight instruments on maximization, its components and types, and well-being and malaise. The results for both approaches show greater associations with rates of malaise than well-being. The results for the first approach show a more intense association with indices of malaise and well-being for strategy than goal. In the second approach, these associations are stronger and greater for fearful maximization than for resolute. The results contribute by increasing the understanding of the maximization construct by simultaneously showing that the increment in the strategy search for alternatives and the fearful style of maximization are directly associated with difficulty in deciding and regret.

Resumen Existe carencia de consenso teórico acerca del proceso de tomar decisiones y particularmente respecto del constructo maximización. Recientemente, se propuso dos enfoques conceptuales sobre maximización y sus respectivos instrumentos de evaluación. El primero considera que el concepto de maximización está constituido por dos dimensiones, meta y estrategia. El segundo diferencia entre dos tipos de maximización según el modo de decidir de un individuo, uno resuelto y otro temeroso. Respecto del primer enfoque se desconocen eventuales relaciones empíricas de meta y estrategia con consecuencias emocionales sobre el bienestar y malestar mientras se decide, mientras existe la duda si la distinción propuesta en el segundo enfoque se aplica también a población de adultos y en contextos diferentes al europeo. En el presente trabajo son evaluadas asociaciones empíricas para cada enfoque respecto de indicadores de malestar y bienestar mediante un conjunto de hipótesis. Una muestra de 624 adultos chilenos de ambos sexos (20 a 70 años) respondió ocho instrumentos sobre maximización, sus componentes y sus tipos, y su bienestar y malestar. Los resultados para ambos enfoques muestran asociaciones mayores con índices de malestar que de bienestar. Los resultados para el primer enfoque muestran asociación con índices de malestar y bienestar más intensos para la dimensión de estrategia que la de meta. En el segundo enfoque estas asociaciones son fuertes y mayores para el tipo de maximización temerosa que para resuelta. Los resultados contribuyen a incrementar la comprensión del constructo de maximización, al mostrar simultáneamente que el aumento en la estrategia de búsqueda de alternativas y el estilo temeroso de maximización, se asocian directamente con dificultad para decidir y con experimentar pesar.

Decision regret analysis among Chinese patients receiving penile girth enhancement with acellular dermal matrix / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate decision regret among patients receiving penile girth enhancement with acellular dermal matrix (PGE with ADM) and to investigate the potential indicators for decisional regret so as to facilitate the decision-making process for this special group.@*METHODS@#In the study, 78 patients receiving PGE with ADM from Jun. 2016 to Jan. 2019 at Peking University People's Hospital and cooperative hospitals were eligible. Penile girth was taken by only one surgeon 1 week before surgery. Hospital anxiety and depression scale (HAD), international index of erectile function (IIEF) and a 10 cm long visual analogue scale named visualized penile image (VPI) were applied to measure psychological burden, erectile function and satisfaction with penile image respectively at the same time. All the patients were followed up for 3 months. Decision regret scale (DRS) was adopted for measuring decisional regret. Multivariate analysis of variance was applied to investigate the potential indicators for regret. Data analysis process was conducted with SPSS (version 24.0; SPSS, Chicago, IL, USA).@*RESULTS@#Mean penile girth recorded before intervention was (8.29±0.30) cm and increased to (9.46±0.29) cm post surgery (t=76.28, P < 0.01). As for both subscales of HAD measuring psychological burden, a signi-ficant reduction in the mean score was seen, that is, 2.8±1.3 (t=19.28, P < 0.05) for anxiety and 3.0±1.2 (t=20.67, P < 0.05) for depression, respectively. The average score of VPI increased by 3.7±1.1 (t=30.63, P < 0.05). There was no significant change in the average score of IIEF measuring erectile satisfaction (t=1.60, P=0.11). Twenty-nine (38.2%) patients expressed regret to some degree, and the mean DRS score was 23.4±14.8. The scores of DRS correlated negatively with scores of visualized penis image (r=-0.348, P < 0.01), and positively with scores of anxiety (r=0.760, P < 0.01) and depression subscale (r=0.471, P < 0.01). The scores of DRS was irrelevant to those of IIEF (r=0.02, P=0.867). The patients with high annual income (> 120 000 yuan) and education level above undergraduate were more prone to experience decision regret after intervention (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#PGE with ADM did augment penile girth and lower psychological burden, the regret rate of which was acceptably low among the patients. High income and good education might indicate more post-operative regret. Additional decision-making aids should be offered to patients with high income and education level above high school.

Exploratory Qualitative Study of Regret Stemming from Ending Terminal Treatment and Psychological Coping among the Bereaved Family Members of Cancer Patients: What Does the Family Regret about Terminal Treatment Choices and Why?

<p>Objectives: This study aimed to describe the experiences of bereaved family members of cancer patients in terms of regret in relation to ending terminal treatment for the patient. Methods: We conducted a semi-structured qualitative interview of 37 bereaved family members regarding their decision-making and their psychological adjustment from the time they made the decision to terminate treatment. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Approximately 40% of bereaved family members reported that they had some regrets about their decision. Regret contents were classified into 8 categories and diversified from 4 categories at the time of decision-making to 7 categories after the death. The reasons for regret were classified into 43 categories. Common factors that minimized regret included situations at the time when they made the decision, such as patient- and family-specific factors and relationship with the medical staff. In comparison, the common reasons for regret centered on factors related to the approach for decision-making, such as the process, options, as well as psychological coping and relationships with medical staff. Conclusion: The results suggest that regret in the bereaved could be modified by understanding the relationship between regret characteristics and psychological coping.</p>

Past and future regret and missed opportunities: an experimental approach on separate evaluation and different time frames

Abstract Decisions often imply trade-offs that force people to accept missing an opportunity in the past or in the future. However, it is not fully clear whether a past miss or a future miss elicits more regret. In a direct comparison, previous research had found support for the greater impact of future misses. In an experimental study with 216 participants, we replicated and extended previous research by testing the strength of the future miss in a separate evaluation and with different periods. Results show that, when evaluated separately, future misses caused less regret than past misses. However, future misses made participants change their feelings of regret more intensely than past misses did. Also, regret levels did not decrease when future misses were further away. Our findings support the strength of future misses on regret but also show contrasting effects when evaluated separately.

Specialty selection satisfaction and regret among medical school postgraduates and faculty at King Abdulaziz University.

Background: In the field of medicine, specialty selection is a life-altering decision that plays a crucial role in career satisfaction, and in turn patient-care. This study explores the significant factors affecting specialty selection satisfaction and regret from the perspective of medical postgraduates and faculty in King Abdulaziz University (KAU). Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on a sample of 172 medical school postgraduates and faculty working at KAU using self-administered questionnaire. Results: The majority of the participants were residents (51.7%), The analysis showed that 11% of the participants regret their choice of specialty. The results showed that the level of satisfaction increases as the academic degree of the participants increase. Among the significant factors affected specialty selection satisfaction and regret were; income (P = 0.003), long length of training (P = 0.027), vast options of sub-specialties (P = 0.001) and interesting and exciting field. Conclusion: These results identify the essential factors that have a potential impact on specialty satisfaction and regret among medical school postgraduates and faculty. This highlights the importance of career counseling for the proper specialty selection.

Bienestar subjetivo en maximizadores y satisfacedores / Subjective well being in maximizers and satisfecers

El propósito aquí es evaluar una tendencia decisional cuyos polos son la simple satisfacción hasta la maximización, y sus efectos eventuales sobre el bienestar subjetivo (B.S.), en sus componentes afectivo (felicidad) y cognitivo (satisfacción vital). Una muestra de 209 estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad de Talca, respondió un cuestionario con cuatro instrumentos para medir maximización-satisfacción y B.S. Los resultados muestran diferencias significativas entre los participantes para el componente cognitivo -satisfacción vital- del B.S., donde quienes son satisfacedores tienen una mejor valoración de sus vidas que los maximizadores (t[194] = 3.28, p < .05). También se encuentra una relación positiva entre la maximización y el pesar (r = .393). Se discuten estos resultados en relación a los hallazgos obtenidos internacionalmente y a algunas características de la sociedad chilena.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the decision making using maximal and satisficing approaches and their effects on subjective well-being, according to its emotional component (happiness) and its cognitive dimension (satisfaction with the life). A total of 209 undergraduate students answered four questionnaires to asses maximization, satisfaction, regret and subjective well-being. The result shows that there are significant differences between maximizers and satisficers as for the subjective well-being just in its cognitive component of vital satisfaction. The satisficers presents a better evaluation of their lives than the maximizers (t[194] = 3.28, p < .05) Finally a positive relation was found between maximizers and the tendency to express regret (r= .393). These finds are discussed in based to internationally ones.