Multi Group Analysis (MGA) Investigating the Relationship Between Decision-Making Styles and Personal Growth with the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence Among Young Boys and Girls

Purpose: Adolescents must make crucial decisions that pertain to personal matters and life choices, marking a significant phase in their development. This study aims to explore how decision-making styles and personal growth are correlated, with emotional intelligence playing a mediating role, in both young males and females. Methods and Materials: The current study utilized a descriptive-correlational research design and cross-sectional research method, employing structural equation modeling (SEM) and multi-group analysis. The research was conducted on male and female students in Tehran from October to November 2023, with a statistical population consisting of all students in the city during that time frame. A group of 178 students was selected using a multi-stage cluster sampling method in a statistical study. The research utilized the General Decision Making Style Questionnaire (GDMS), Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II (PGIS-II), and Bar-On Emotional Quotient Inventory (EQ-i) as research instruments. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS version 27 for descriptive statistics. We utilized path analysis and Multi-Group Analysis (MGA) with SmartPLS version 4 software. The study considered a p-value of 0.05. Findings: According to the research findings, making rational decisions had a beneficial impact on personal growth through the variable of self-regard (D = 0.280, P = 0.011). Similarly, spontaneous decision-making had a detrimental effect on taking action for Personal Growth through the variable of self-regard (D = -0.178, P = 0.020). "Simultaneously, spontaneous decision-making negatively impacted the willingness to take action for personal growth because of the Happiness factor (D = -0.213, P = 0.045)." Conclusion: The findings of this research indicate that the decision-making styles of participants affect their emotional intelligence, and this impact varies between males and females. The research results show that the spontaneous decision-making style hinders the emotional intelligence components in both girls and boys, and only the rational decision-making style positively influences the personal growth of young individuals. Furthermore, emotional intelligence acts as a mediator, increasing motivation for Personal Growth in boys while decreasing it in girls.