Abstract:
Everyday decision-making, from mundane choices to life-changing ones, is a constant part of human experience. Students, in particular, often struggle with decision-making, especially when the demands of academic orientation compete with mental health needs and other life responsibilities. These difficulties are often marked by ambivalence, psychological distress, and protracted indecision. Psychological models such as the “stages of change” (Prochaska/DiClemente 1984) provide insight into why change and decision-making are difficult. Evidence-based counseling approaches like “Motivational Interviewing” (MI; Miller/Rollnick 2015) emphasize an empathetic, non-directive communication style to support clients for finding their individual way of how to change. Further interventions to support decision-making may involve raising problem awareness, supporting a careful weighing of costs and benefits and encouraging individuals to draw on their personal values as guiding principles. Furthermore, strengthening self-efficacy plays a key role in this process. Therapeutic work can also focus on the indecision itself, especially when a decision has been postponed for an extended period of time.
Über die Autor*innen:
- Katrin Hötzel,
Dr., Psychologische Psychotherapeutin (Schwerpunkt kognitive Verhaltenstherapie) im Forschungs- und Behandlungszentrum für psychische Gesundheit der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Dozentin an unterschiedlichen Ausbildungsinstituten und Universitäten, Zusatzqualifikation zur Behandlung von Kindern und Jugendlichen sowie staatlich anerkannte Supervisorin, geschäftsführende Leitung der Psychotherapie-Ausbildung an der Ruhr-Universität Bochum
