Regrets or no regrets? No regrets! The fate of rejected manuscripts.
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Bibliometrics↗
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"When looking back on my past life I regret...": retrospective regret in the second half of life.
The study investigated the frequency, themes, and attributions for significant regrets in a random probability sample of 3,917 German and Dutch nationals between the ages of 40 and 85 years. It was found that 14% did not have any regrets in spontaneous memory, and that this increased with the age of the respondents. With respect to mentioned regrets, older people, women, and those living in the former East Germany were more likely to recall externally attributed events; younger participants, men, West Germans, and the Dutch recalled more internally attributed events. Largely, memories related to 4 major themes: (a) mistakes, behavior, and bad decisions in general; (b) hard times; (c) social relationships; and (d) missed educational opportunities. The importance of these themes, however, varied according to age, gender, and regional belonging. Differences in the kind of attribution and in the centrality of themes are discussed in terms of lifespan theory, death preparation, and cultural differences.
Age Factors↗
Screening mammography at 40-49 years: regret or no regret?
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Adult↗
Regret in men treated for localized prostate cancer.
PURPOSE: We identify the predictors of medical regret in men treated for localized prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients previously treated for early stage prostate cancer were assessed for treatment regret using validated items. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified associations between regret and demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, medical knowledge, and general and disease specific health related quality of life as measured by the general health perceptions domain of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and a validated short form of the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index. RESULTS: Of 96 respondents (mean age 64 years, mean followup 2.8 years) 16% expressed regret with treatment decisions. Regretful men were almost twice as likely as nonregretful men to have less than a college education (60% versus 33%, p = 0.05) and worse current health related quality of life (p <0.05). In addition, regretful men tended to be unable to recall the most recent prostate specific antigen accurately (p = 0.06). Men with and without regret did not differ in other demographic characteristics, treatment choice or clinical outcomes. Regretful men were more likely to say they would choose a different treatment if they could. In multivariate analyses worse quality of life predicted regret but decline in quality of life with time was not associated with regret. CONCLUSIONS: Men expressing regret over treatment choice for localized prostate cancer have poorer health related quality of life. Further study is needed to identify factors that predict posttreatment regret. Such information will allow patients and physicians to individualize treatment decisions, optimize quality of life and avoid medical regret.
Aged↗
Association of information satisfaction, psychological distress and monitoring coping style with post-decision regret following breast reconstruction.
Little is known of the psychosocial factors associated with decision regret in the context of breast reconstruction following mastectomy for breast cancer treatment. Moreover, there is a paucity of theoretically-based research in the area of post-decision regret. Adopting the theoretical framework of the Monitoring Process Model (Cancer 1995;76(1):167-177), the current study assessed the role of information satisfaction, current psychological distress and the moderating effect of monitoring coping style to the experience of regret over the decision to undergo reconstructive surgery. Women (N=123) diagnosed with breast cancer who had undergone immediate or delayed breast reconstruction following mastectomy participated in the study. The majority of participants (52.8%, n=65) experienced no decision regret, 27.6% experienced mild regret and 19.5% moderate to strong regret. Bivariate analyses indicated that decision regret was associated with low satisfaction with preparatory information, depression, anxiety and stress. Multinominal logistic regression analysis showed, controlling for mood state and time since last reconstructive procedure, that lower satisfaction with information and increased depression were associated with increased likelihood of experiencing regret. Monitoring coping style moderated the association between anxiety and regret (beta=-0.10, OR=0.91, p=0.01), whereby low monitors who were highly anxious had a greater likelihood of experiencing regret than highly anxious high monitors.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Avoidance of anticipated regret: the ordering of prostate-specific antigen tests.
OBJECTIVE: When making decisions, people are known to try to minimize the regret that would be provoked by unwanted consequences of these decisions. The authors explored the strength and determinants of such anticipated regret in a study of physicians' decisions to order prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests. METHODS: 32 US and 33 French primary care physicians indicated the likelihood they would order a PSA for 32 hypothetical men presenting for routine physical exams. They then indicated how much regret they would feel if they found advanced prostate cancer in 12 other patients for whom they had chosen not to order PSAs several years before. The latter patients differed according to age (55, 65, or 75 years), a prior request or not for PSA testing, and no or some irregularity of the prostate on the earlier rectal exam. RESULTS: ANOVA found that regret was higher when the patient had requested a PSA, the prostate was irregular, and the patient was younger. Shape had less effect when the patient had requested a PSA. US physicians had more regret than the French, patient request had a greater impact on the Americans, and increasing patient age reduced regret more among the French. In a 1-way correlation, the regret score was associated with the likelihood of ordering PSAs for both the French (r = 0.64, P < 0.005) and the Americans (r = 0.42, P< 0.02). In a regression analysis too, the regret score was the most important predictor of the likelihood of ordering a PSA (beta = 0.37, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Regret over failing to diagnose aggressive prostate cancer is associated with a policy of ordering PSAs. This regret appears to be culturally sensitive.
Aged↗
Are Actions Regretted More Than Inactions?
Several researchers have claimed that negative outcomes produce greater regret when they result from actions rather than from failures to act (Gleicher et al., 1990; Kahneman & Tversky, 1982; Landman, 1987). We investigated this claim by asking participants to write descriptions of strongly regretted events in their own lives and to rate the intensity of the regrets. Participants reported more inaction than action regrets, and, contrary to prior research findings, regrets produced by actions and inactions were equally intense. We conjecture that many factors that affect the content of real-life regrets are eliminated in studies of hypothetical regret. In real life, actions and inactions do not generally produce the same outcomes. Furthermore, actions and inactions may differ in how easily one can anticipate the potential for harm. Specifically, it is plausible that people control their actions to avoid potential regrets, leaving themselves vulnerable to regrets from inactions. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Poststerilization regret: findings from the United States Collaborative Review of Sterilization.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cumulative probability of regret after tubal sterilization, and to identify risk factors for regret that are identifiable before sterilization. METHODS: We used a prospective, multicenter cohort study to evaluate the cumulative probability of regret within 14 years after tubal sterilization. Participants included 11,232 women aged 18-44 years who had tubal sterilizations between 1978 and 1987. Actuarial life tables and Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify those groups at greatest risk of experiencing regret. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of expressing regret during a follow-up interview within 14 years after tubal sterilization was 20.3% for women aged 30 or younger at the time of sterilization and 5.9% for women over age 30 at sterilization (adjusted relative risk [RR] 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.6, 2.3). For the former group, the cumulative probability of regret was similar for women sterilized during the postpartum period (after cesarean, 20.3%, 95% CI 14.5, 26.0; after vaginal delivery, 23.7%, 95% CI 17.6, 29.8) and for women sterilized within 1 year after the birth of their youngest child (22.3%, 95% CI 16.4, 28.2). For women aged 30 or younger at sterilization, the cumulative probability of regret decreased as time since the birth of the youngest child increased (2-3 years, 16.2%, 95% CI 11.4, 21.0; 4-7 years, 11.3%, 95% CI 7.8, 14.8; 8 or more years, 8.3%, 95% CI 5.1, 11.4) and was lowest among women who had no previous births (6.3%, 95% CI 3.1, 9.4). CONCLUSION: Although most women expressed no regret after tubal sterilization, women 30 years of age and younger at the time of sterilization had an increased probability of expressing regret during follow-up interviews within 14 years after the procedure.
Actuarial Analysis↗
Regret and quality of life across the adult life span: the influence of disengagement and available future goals.
Two studies examined the associations between life regrets and indicators of quality of life across the adult life span. Given that opportunities to undo regrets decline with age, regret intensity was expected to be inversely associated with subjective well-being and health among older adults. In addition, the research explored protective factors that have the potential to reduce older adults' regret intensity. It was suggested that being disengaged from undoing the consequences of regrets and having many future goals available may reduce older adults' intensity of regret and thereby contribute to a better quality of life. Across both studies, the findings demonstrate that older adults perceived reduced opportunities to undo the consequences of their regrets and that regret intensity predicted a reduced quality of life only among older adults. Furthermore, the findings support the adaptive value of disengagement and available future goals for managing life regrets in older adults.
Adult↗
Regret among 547 Danish sterilized women.
To help identify potential regretters of female sterilization, the women sterilized at Frederiksborg County Hospital, Hørsholm, Denmark, from 1978 through 1982 were contacted by questionnaires, and their medical records were reviewed. Ninety-two per cent (547/594) responded. The median observation time was 50 months. Five per cent of the women (n = 28) regretted the sterilization. The risk of regretting the sterilization was significantly increased among women who at sterilization experienced marital disharmony (12.5% regretted), had a child less than one year old (14.7% regretted), had the sterilization performed in connection with another surgical procedure (16.1% regretted), were outside the social groupings (17.0% regretted), or had no paid work (10.0% regretted). No association between number of children at the time of sterilization, prior number of contraceptives used, abortion at sterilization, and later regret was found. Twenty-five per cent of the regretters had had psychiatric problems prior to the sterilization. The regretters were sterilized shortly after their request (median 1 month) compared to 3 months among non-regretters. The main reason for regret of sterilization was the desire for more children, independent of a change in marital status. Sequelae to the sterilization was a common complaint. Refertilization was requested by 1% of the sterilized women. The study suggests that the psychosocial situation should be carefully evaluated in women requesting sterilization. A time lag from request to the sterilization should be mandatory and a thorough pre-sterilization counseling including information about possible sequelae and alternative contraceptives should be given.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Emotional Reactions to the Outcomes of Decisions: The Role of Counterfactual Thought in the Experience of Regret and Disappointment.
Regret and disappointment are emotions that can be experienced in response to an unfavorable outcome of a decision. Previous research suggests that both emotions are related to the process of counterfactual thinking. The present research extends this idea by combining it with ideas from regret and disappointment theory. The results show that regret is related to behavior-focused counterfactual thought in which the decision-maker's own actions are changed, whereas disappointment is related to situation-focused counterfactual thought in which aspects of the situation are changed. In Study 1 participants (N = 130) were asked to recall an autobiographical episode of either a regretful or a disappointing event. When asked to undo this event, regret participants predominantly changed their own actions, whereas disappointment participants predominantly changed aspects of the situation. In Study 2 all participants (N = 50) read a scenario in which a person experiences a negative event. Participants who were instructed to undo the event by changing the person's actions reported more regret than disappointment, while participants who were instructed to undo the event by changing aspects of the situation reported more disappointment than regret. Study 3 (N = 140) replicated the findings from Study 2 with a different scenario, and a design in which regret and disappointment were measured between rather than within subjects. In the discussion we address the relation among counterfactual thinking, attributions and affective reactions to decision outcomes, and the implications for decision research. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Looking forward to looking backward: the misprediction of regret.
Decisions are powerfully affected by anticipated regret, and people anticipate feeling more regret when they lose by a narrow margin than when they lose by a wide margin. But research suggests that people are remarkably good at avoiding self-blame, and hence they may be better at avoiding regret than they realize. Four studies measured people's anticipations and experiences of regret and self-blame. In Study 1, students overestimated how much more regret they would feel when they "nearly won" than when they "clearly lost" a contest. In Studies 2, 3a, and 3b, subway riders overestimated how much more regret and self-blame they would feel if they "nearly caught" their trains than if they "clearly missed" their trains. These results suggest that people are less susceptible to regret than they imagine, and that decision makers who pay to avoid future regrets may be buying emotional insurance that they do not actually need.
Adult↗
Role of anticipated regret, intentions and intention stability in adolescent smoking initiation.
OBJECTIVES: To examine the impact of anticipated regret within the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) on intentions of adolescents to initiate smoking. To examine the moderating role of anticipated regret and intention stability on the relationship between intentions and smoking initiation in adolescents. METHODS: We conducted two studies measuring anticipated regret within the TPB applied to adolescent smoking initiation. In the first study, 347 non-smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB and anticipated regret measures about smoking initiation. In the second study, 675 non-smoking adolescents (between 11 and 12 years of age) completed the TPB, anticipated regret, and intention stability measures in relation to smoking initiation. Smoking was assessed objectively by carbon monoxide breath monitor 9 months later. RESULTS: In Studies 1 and 2, regret significantly added to predictions of intentions over and above components of the TPB (p < .001). In Study 2, smoking behaviour was predicted by intentions and the relationship of intentions to behaviour was moderated by regret and intention stability. CONCLUSIONS: Regret and intention stability were shown to be important variables within the TPB in understanding intentions and behaviour of smoking initiation in adolescents.
Adolescent↗
[Change in feelings of regret over time: relation to decision-making style, behavior, and coping methods].
This study investigated the change in feelings of regret over time in relation to decision-making style, critical thinking, behavior, and coping methods with the regret. Seventy undergraduate students completed a questionnaire on critical thinking, decision-making styles, feelings of regret and the coping methods in five different situations: entrance examinations, declarations of love, skiing, career changes, and investments. Results showed the following. First, in situations which normally occur only once (i.e., entrance examinations), subjects who indicated inaction felt increased regret over time, but those who indicated action felt decreased regret. Conversely, in situations which occur regularly (i.e., declarations of love and skiing), both of those who indicated action and inaction felt decreased regret. Second, people who indicated action coped with their regret using the method of rationalization more often than those who indicated inaction. In situations which normally occur only once, analytic decision-makers tended to cope with their regret by improving their behavior more than intuitive decision-makers. Finally, critical thinkers tended to adopt an analytic style more often than an intuitive style.
Adaptation, Psychological↗
Reconsidering the Relation between Regret and Responsibility.
Recently Connolly, Ordóñez, and Coughlan challenged the view that regret is partly determined by perceived responsibility for the regretted outcome [Connolly, T. Ordóñez, L. D., & Coughlan, R. (1997). Regret and responsibility in the evaluation of decision outcomes. Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, 70, 73-85]. In a series of experiments they manipulated whether actors arrived at an outcome through their own decision or through a "computer assignment" over which they had no influence. This decision agency manipulation did not affect their "regret measure." We show in two experiments that this null-effect is due to the fact that regret was measured by means of a general happiness assessment. In the present research we replicated the basic design of their experiments and also found no effects of decision agency on the happiness assessment. However, the results showed the predicted effects of decision agency when regret was directly measured. Moreover, a measure of disappointment seemed to indicate the opposite effect: People are more disappointed when a negative outcome is caused by a computer assignment than when caused by their own choice. The role of regret and disappointment in decision making is discussed. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Testing the Compatibility Test: How Instructions, Accountability, and Anticipated Regret Affect Prechoice Screening of Options.
Subjects screened a set of jobs, retaining those for which they wished to apply and rejecting those that were no longer under consideration. In Experiment 1, subjects who indicated the jobs for which they would apply/not apply screened out fewer jobs than those with instructions to reject/not reject or those with instructions simply to screen (control). There were no differences between the reject and control conditions. Experiment 2 used a design similar to that of Experiment 1, but subjects were made accountable for their screening judgments. The reject-apply discrepancy remained, but the accountability manipulation made the subjects more stringent in their screening compared to those who were not accountable for their judgments. In Experiment 3, subjects were told to consider either the regret resulting from retaining a bad option (regret bad) or the regret from rejecting a good option (regret good). Subjects in the regret bad condition rejected more jobs than did subjects in the regret good condition, but not more than subjects in the control condition. As predicted by image theory, the normal screening process appears to be to screen out the bad options rather than screen in the good options. This is demonstrated by screening in the control condition being similar to screening under the reject instructions (Experiment 1) and under regret bad instructions (Experiment 3), since these conditions were shown to focus attention on the bad options. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.
Journal Article↗
Sexual regret in college students.
A questionnaire study was conducted to assess the relationship between sexual regret and sexual behaviors and demographic factors among 348 college-aged students prior to attending an educational program about sexual health issues. Analyses conducted on the portion of the sample who were sexually active (n = 270) indicated that the majority (71.9%, n = 194) has regretted their decision to engage in sexual activity at least once. The most cited reasons for regret by students included their sexual decision making as inconsistent with their morals (37%), an acknowledgment that alcohol influenced their decision (31.7%), the realization they did not want the same thing as their partner (27.9%), the lack of condom use (25.5%), feeling pressure by their partner (23.0%), and their desire to wait until marriage to have sex (15.4%). The only significant sex difference was that women reported regret due to feeling pressured by a partner more often than men. Multiple and logistic regression analyses indicated that the only significant predictor of regret regarding one's sexual decisions was the number of sexual partners. These results demonstrate the need for sexual educators to incorporate sexual regret into their curricula as the phenomenon of regret is more common than pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, the usual focus of sexuality education.
Adult↗
A comparison of women's regret after vasectomy versus tubal sterilization.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the 5-year cumulative probability of regret and risk factors for regret among women whose husbands underwent vasectomy with women after tubal sterilization. METHODS: A total of 525 women whose husbands underwent vasectomy were compared with 3672 women who underwent tubal sterilization in a prospective, multicenter, cohort study. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of a woman expressing regret within 5 years after her husband's vasectomy was 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.6, 8.6), which was similar to the 5-year cumulative probability of regret among women after tubal sterilization (7.0%, 95% CI 5.8, 8.1). Women who reported substantial conflict with their husbands before vasectomy were more than 25 times more likely to request that their husband have a reversal than women who did not report such conflict (rate ratio 25.3, 95% CI 2.9, 217.2). Similarly, women who reported substantial conflict with their husbands or partners before tubal sterilization were more then three times as likely to regret their decision and more than five times as likely to request a reversal than women who did not report such conflict (rate ratio 3.1, 95% CI 1.4, 7.0, and rate ratio 5.4, 95% CI 1.6, 17.6, respectively). CONCLUSION: Most women did not express regret after their husband's vasectomy and the probability of regret was similar to sterilized women. However, when there was substantial conflict between a woman and her husband before vasectomy or tubal sterilization, the probability of subsequent request for reversal was increased.
Adolescent↗