The effect of psychological flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty on decision-making styles in university students

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of psychological flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty on individuals' decision-making styles among university students. The study was designed as a correlational survey model, and data were collected from 381 university students aged 18-29. Participants completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, the Psychological Flexibility Scale, and the Rational and Intuitive Decision Making Styles Scale. Multiple linear regression analysis was used in the data analysis. The dependent variables of this study are the subdimensions of decision-making styles, namely rational decision making and intuitive decision making. The independent variables are the subdimensions of psychological flexibility, which include acceptance, being present, defusion, self as context, values, and committed action. The other independent variable are the subdimensions of intolerance of uncertainty, specifically future-oriented anxiety and inhibitory anxiety. According to the study's findings, the subdimensions of psychological flexibility —namely, values and committed action, being present, and defusion —along with the subdimension of intolerance of uncertainty, specifically future-oriented anxiety, significantly predicted rational decision-making. Furthermore, it was determined that the subdimensions of psychological flexibility, self as context, as well as values and committed action, are meaningful predictors of intuitive decision making. The research findings were discussed in the context of existing literature.