Decision-Making Styles and Intolerance of Uncertainty

Intolerance of uncertainty plays a significant role in decision-making by shaping how individuals perceive, interpret, and react to uncertain situations. Consequently, this research seeks to explore the relationship between the five decision-making styles and intolerance of uncertainty. To conduct this study, we utilized the General Decision-Making Style Scale (GDMS) and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). A total of 131 participants were recruited from a university and other locations through SONA, a software program that helps universities manage research study participation, and social media platforms. The analysis of decision-making styles using a correlogram revealed significant correlations among them, indicating that these styles are not entirely independent. Intuitive decision-making correlated positively with both rational and spontaneous decision-making styles, while dependent decision-making was correlated positively with avoidant decision-making, which also correlated with spontaneous decision-making. These interconnections were accounted for in the regression analyses, ensuring that the relationship of intolerance of uncertainty in each decision-making style was assessed separately. The findings showed that individuals with higher intolerance of uncertainty were more likely to adopt an avoidant decision-making style and less likely to use a rational approach. Additionally, individuals who consider uncertainty “unfair” were more inclined toward dependent and avoidant decision-making styles. Moreover, the findings of this study can help individuals gain insight into their decision-making style and intolerance of uncertainty, enhancing self-awareness and enabling them to recognize their responses to ambiguity while developing strategies for more effective decision-making.