Gabriel Andrade

Ajman University, United Arab Emirates

Title: Depressive Symptoms Predict Consistency and Utilitarian Responses in Trolley Dilemmas: Evidence from UAE Students

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Biography

Gabriel Andrade earned his Ph.D. from the University of Zulia (Venezuela) in 2008. He served as a Titular Professor at the University of Zulia from 2005 to 2015 before expanding his academic career internationally. He has held teaching positions at the College of the Marshall Islands (Republic of the Marshall Islands), Xavier University School of Medicine (Aruba), and St. Matthew's University School of Medicine (Cayman Islands). He joined Ajman University in August 2019, where he continues to contribute to academia. His primary research interests lie in ethics and psychology within medical contexts.

Abstract

Introduction:

This study aimed to examine how depressive and anxiety symptoms predict consistency in moral responses to trolley dilemmas and adherence or rejection of the DDE among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The role of demographic variables (age, gender) was also assessed.

Methods:

A sample of 404 UAE university students completed a survey including four trolley dilemma variants (Spur, Fat Man, Loop, Trap Door) with yes/no utilitarian decision responses. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were measured using the PHQ-4. Consistency across dilemmas testing DDE adherence was evaluated. Statistical analyses included correlations, chi-square, Welch’s tests, and logistic regression.

Results:

Higher depressive symptoms significantly predicted more utilitarian decisions and greater consistency in accepting or rejecting the DDE, particularly in morally ambiguous scenarios. Anxiety showed similar but weaker effects. Age and gender did not significantly affect responses or consistency. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were moderately correlated.

Conclusion:

Depressive symptoms enhance analytic processing in moral decision-making, supporting dual-process and analytical rumination theories. This leads to consistent, utilitarian judgments aligned with or rejecting the DDE. Findings suggest depressive symptoms can have adaptive cognitive roles and highlight cultural influences on moral reasoning, warranting further research with broader demographic and psychological factors.