Clinical Psychology Studies

Clinical Psychology Studies

Modeling Rational Decision-Making Based on Adolescents’ Executive Functions and Examining the Mediating Role of Emotional Intelligence and Moral Judgment

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Kamran Sheivandi Cholicheh 1
Masoumeh Zanganeh 2
Mohammad javad Fallah 3
1 Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Allameh Tabataba'i. University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Ph.D. Student in Educational Psychology Allameh Tabataba'i. University, Tehran, Iran.
3 Ph.D. Student in Educational Psychology Lorestan. University, Koramabad, Iran.
10.22054/jcps.2026.88379.3285
Abstract
Introduction and Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the role of Cognitive abilities in predicting rational decision-making among adolescents, considering the mediating role of emotional intelligence and moral judgment. Rational decision-making, as one of the key processes of cognitive development in adolescence, plays a crucial role in personal, social, and academic adjustment. Given that adolescence is accompanied by extensive biological, cognitive, and emotional changes, identifying underlying factors influencing rational decision-making is of particular importance.
Research Methodology: This study employed a quantitative, correlational design using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population consisted of lower secondary school students in Yazd during the 2024–2025 academic year, from which a sample was selected through cluster random sampling. Research instruments included the General Decision-Making Styles Questionnaire (GDMS), the Cognitive Functions Questionnaire, the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire–Short Form (TEIQue-SF), and the Moral Judgment Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using AMOS-24 software.
Findings: Findings indicated that Cognitive abilities directly predicted rational decision-making (β=0.17, P<0.05). Furthermore, emotional intelligence and moral judgment significantly mediated this relationship (β=0.308, P<0.002). In other words, adolescents with higher Cognitive abilities also demonstrated higher levels of emotional intelligence and moral judgment, which in turn contributed to the enhancement of their rational decision-making.
Conclusion: The results highlight the importance of an integrated approach to cognitive, emotional, and moral processes in understanding adolescent decision-making and may provide a basis for designing educational and counseling interventions aimed at improving adolescents’ decision-making skills.
Keywords
Rational decision-making
Executive functions
Emotional intelligence
Moral judgment
Adolescence
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Clinical Psychology Studies
Volume 16, Issue 59
Spring 2025
Pages 91-104