Effects of negative mood states on risk in everyday decision making

How does negative mood affect risk taking? A brief questionnaire was used t o measure state anxiety, depression, and fatigue, and a daily mood diary al lowed state and trait (average level) mood to be separated. Studies 1 and 2 used natural moods and Study 3 a mood induction procedure. Risk was assess ed using hypothetical everyday choice scenarios. Study 1 showed that riskin ess was affected by state fatigue, but not by anxiety and depression. Study 2 showed that increased riskiness over a two-week period was predicted by fatigue changes, after controlling for riskiness and trait and state mood a t time 1. Fatigue effects were stronger for more important scenarios, and w hen state anxiety was also high. In Study 3, covariance analyses showed tha t the observed increased in riskiness was related to induced fatigue, rathe r than to anxiety or depression. The effects are discussed in relation to t he literature on fatigue effects, and models of mood and cognition.