Enhancing Decision-Making Efficiency Among Youth Through Reflection 0 0
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32999/2663-970X/2026-16-4Keywords:
decision-making, decision-making efficiency, youth, reflection development, creative thinkingAbstract
Aim. The aim of the study is to theoretically substantiate and empirically verify the impact of reflection development on improving decisionmaking efficiency among youth through the implementation of a specially designed program. Methods. Theoretical: analysis, comparison, and generalization of scientific sources; empirical: the “Self-Regulation of Behavior Profile” questionnaire (Yevdokimova, Kobylko, 2023), the “Self-Management Ability” questionnaire (Yevdokimova, Kobylko, 2023), J. Raven’s Progressive Matrices Scale (Lemak, Petryshche, 2012), the “Creativity” test (Lemak, Petryshche, 2012), the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (Petrovska, 2021), the “Study of Volitional Personality Organization” method (Lemak, Petryshche, 2012); and statistical analysis methods. Results. Following the formative intervention, a statistically significant increase in the overall decision-making efficiency score (z = -4.835; α < .001) with a large effect size (d = -.614) and the overall reflection score (z = -4.870; d = -.618) was recorded in the experimental group. The most pronounced positive shift occurred in the volitional (d = -.605) and cognitive (d = -.607) domains. The abilities to model situations and evaluate outcomes improved significantly (mean values increased from 4.96 to 6.62 and from 5.75 to 7.1, respectively). Changes in intelligence and creative thinking scores exhibited a slightly smaller effect, which is explained by their relative stability at this age. Meanwhile, no statistically significant shifts were recorded in the control group (α > .05). Discussion. The highest shift in the decision-making structure occurred in the volitional and cognitive domains, where the development of critical analysis enhanced youth’s ability to model situations. The transition from an impulsive reaction to a structured reflective evaluation evidently enables young people to better realize problem situations and find internal resources to resolve them. The smaller yet positive dynamics in intelligence and creative thinking metrics are logical given their relative stability and confirm the high ecological validity of the study. Conclusions. The results of the formative experiment implementing the program to enhance decision-making efficiency among youth confirmed the research hypothesis and indicate the possibility of positioning reflection as a tool for improving their decision-making efficiency.
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