The role of emotions in cancer patients’ decision-making

Abstract

Introduction: Despite the attempt to make decisions based on evidence, doctors still have to consider patients' choices which often involve other factors. In particular, emotions seem to influence the way that options and the surrounding information are interpreted and used. Objective: The objective of the present review is to provide a brief overview of research on decision making and cancer with a specific focus on the role of emotions. Method: Thirty-nine studies were identified and analysed. Most of the studies investigated anxiety and fear. Worry was the other psychological factor that, together with anxiety, played a crucial role in cancer-related decision-making. Results: The roles of fear, anxiety and worry were described for detection behaviour, diagnosis, choice about prevention and curative treatments and help-seeking behaviour. Results were inconsistent among the studies. Results stressed that cognitive appraisal and emotional arousal (emotion's intensity level) interact in shaping the decision. Moderate levels of anxiety and worry improved decision-making, while low and high levels tended to have no effect or a hindering effect on decision making. Moderating factors played an under-investigated role. Conclusions: Decision making is a complex non-linear process that is affected by several factors, such as, for example, personal knowledge, past experiences, individual differences and certainly emotions. Research studies should investigate further potential moderators of the effect of emotions on cancer-related choice. Big data and machine learning could be a good opportunity to test the interaction between a large amount of factors that is not feasible in traditional research. New technologies such as eHealth and virtual reality can offer support for the regulation of emotions and decision making.

Comparing the use of Arabic decision aid to usual care

“…Such emotions can also affect their thinking process and the choices related to their cancer treatment. 18 In our study, anxiety scores decreased over time in both groups with no statistically significant difference between them. This finding supports previous studies that reported no increase in patient anxiety levels with the use of DAs.…”

Information Access and Use by Patients With Cancer and Their Friends and Family: Development of a Grounded Theory

“…Both observations are congruent with the existing literature regarding the challenges individuals living with cancer face in obtaining useful information [ 1 - 4 , 9 , 11 , 12 , 14 , 15 , 38 , 39 , 42 , 50 ] and the significant role emotions play during the cancer experience [ 58 , 59 ]. The role of emotions in decision making has been well documented, with both theory and empirical data supporting that emotions affect decision making in different ways [ 60 , 61 ]. For instance, fear is associated with the interpretation of greater risk, whereas anger is associated with less perceived risk [ 60 , 61 ].…”

“…The role of emotions in decision making has been well documented, with both theory and empirical data supporting that emotions affect decision making in different ways [ 60 , 61 ]. For instance, fear is associated with the interpretation of greater risk, whereas anger is associated with less perceived risk [ 60 , 61 ]. In addition, research supports that individuals revert to less emotional states as time passes from the inciting stressor, resulting in decision making that is less reactive, and instead guided by reasoning that is more rational, better reflecting the individual’s personal values [ 60 , 62 ].…”

The psychometric properties of the Italian adaptation of the Health Orientation Scale (HOS)

“…The last two factors extracted in the Italian adaptation of HOS scale identify people whose health perception is modulated by mood factors, such as worry and anxiety (Health Anxiety) and have negative expectation for their future health status (Health Expectation). These health orientation profiles are particularly important considering the current tendency in health psychology, which underlines the role of emotions in the modulation of health behaviours and health status [97]. For example, the Broaden-and-Build Theory by Barbara Friedrickson [98] argued that positive emotions facilitate thinking, action and decision-making.…”