Rights statement: This is the peer reviewed version of the following article:Sicilia, A.C., Lukacs, J.N., Jones, S. and Perez Algorta, G. (2020), Decision‐making and risk in bipolar disorder: A quantitative study using fuzzy trace theory. Psychol Psychother Theory Res Pract, 93: 105-121. doi:10.1111/papt.12215 which has been published in final form at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/papt.12215 This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.
Accepted author manuscript, 417 KB, PDF document
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Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
| <mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 31/03/2020 |
|---|---|
| <mark>Journal</mark> | Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Volume | 93 |
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Pages (from-to) | 105-121 |
| Publication Status | Published |
| Early online date | 24/01/19 |
| <mark>Original language</mark> | English |
Objectives: This study characterizes risk-taking behaviours in a group of people with a self-reported diagnosis of BD using fuzzy trace theory (FTT). FTT hypothesizes that risk-taking is a ‘reasoned’ (but sometimes faulty) action, rather than an impulsive act associated with mood fluctuations. Design: We tested whether measures of FTT (verbatim and gist-based thinking) were predictive of risk-taking intentions in BD, after controlling for mood and impulsivity. We hypothesized that FTT scales would be significant predictors of risk-taking intentions even after accounting for mood and impulsivity. Methods: Fifty-eight participants with BD (age range 21–78, 68% female) completed a series of online questionnaires assessing risk intentions, mood, impulsivity, and FTT. Results: Fuzzy trace theory scales significantly predicted risk-taking intentions (medium effect sizes), after controlling for mood and impulsivity consistent with FTT (part range.26 to.49). Participants with BD did not show any statistically significant tendency towards verbatim-based thinking. Conclusions: Fuzzy trace theory gist and verbatim representations were both independent predictors of risk-taking intentions, even after controlling for mood and impulsivity. The results offer an innovative conceptualization of the mechanisms behind risk-taking in BD. Practitioner points: Risk-taking behaviour in bipolar disorder is not just a consequence of impulsivity. Measures of fuzzy trace theory help to understand risk-taking in bipolar disorder. FTT measures predict risk-taking intentions, after controlling for mood and impulsivity.