Which of the following best describes how stress and mental health struggles can affect decision-making?

• A. They can lead to impulsive choices and difficulty evaluating long-term consequences.
• B. They always result in more cautious and risk-averse decisions.
• C. They consistently improve logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
• D. They have no measurable impact on decision-making processes.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that stress and mental health struggles influence cognitive functions, particularly those involved in decision-making.
2. Recognize that under stress or mental health challenges, the brain's ability to evaluate long-term consequences can be impaired, leading to more impulsive choices.
3. Consider how emotional regulation and executive functions, such as planning and reasoning, are affected during periods of high stress or mental health difficulties.
4. Evaluate each option by comparing it to psychological research findings on how stress impacts decision-making, noting that increased caution or improved reasoning are less typical outcomes.
5. Conclude that the best description is that stress and mental health struggles can lead to impulsive choices and difficulty evaluating long-term consequences, as this aligns with established psychological understanding.