The Effects of Counterfactual Thinking (Upward and Downward) on Decision-Making Ability of Females In Early Adulthood with Anxiety

Decision-making is a daily activity that we do with small to large risks. A mental process known as counterfactual thinking, which involves considering alternative scenarios that differ from the actual event and potentially affect an individual’s decisions and actions, occurs in the decision-making process. There are two types of counterfactual thinking, upward and downward, both can elicit positive and negative emotions, including regret, disappointment, and relief. This study employed a quantitative experimental approach with a mixed-method design to measure the effects of counterfactual thinking on the decision-making ability of early adult females with anxiety using the modified Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). Based on the screening stages using the DASS-42, 40 participants with moderate and severe levels of anxiety met the inclusion criteria. The findings of this study indicate that counterfactual thinking, particularly the upward type, impacts one’s capacity for better decision-making.