Cited by 157Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesObsessive-Compulsive Spectrum DisordersChild and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

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Intolerance of Uncertainty as a Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Psychological Difficulties: A Systematic Review of Evidence Pertaining to Causality and Temporal Precedence

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Rosser, Benjamin A.·2019·Cognitive Therapy and Research

DOI 10.1007/s10608-018-9964-z

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Abstract

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is proposed to be a transdiagnostic causal mechanism of psychological difficulties. The systematic review sought to evaluate the status of evidence pertaining to IU’s proposed causal influence upon symptoms of psychological conditions. The review collated evidence from studies involving experimental manipulation and assessment of temporal precedence to ensure direct assessment of causality. The search strategy and eligibility screening identified 12 articles, detailing 15 eligible studies (experimental manipulations: n = 10; temporal precedence studies: n = 5). Available evidence comprised symptoms of anxiety- and mood-related conditions, including obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The greatest support for IU as a causal mechanism was evident for anxiety-related difficulties and, to a lesser extent, negative affect; limited support was found for OCD-related difficulties. However, notable inconsistency across study findings for all difficulty types precludes absolute conclusions. Implications and recommendations are discussed.

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Authors: Rosser, B. A.
Affiliations: Liverpool John Moores University (GB)
Corresponding author: Rosser, Benjamin A.
ORCID: Rosser, Benjamin A.
Venue: Cognitive Therapy and Research
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published: 2018-09-22
Volume: 43
Issue: 2
Pages: 438-463
ISSN: 0147-5916 (ISSN-L)
1573-2819
DOI: 10.1007/s10608-018-9964-z
OpenAlex: W2892588052
Cited by: 157
References: 88
Citations by year: 2026: 12 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 32 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 2
FWCI: 1.59
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: hybrid
doi.org
Licence: cc-by
creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 (tdm)
Locations: Cognitive Therapy and Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
Liverpool John Moores University (acceptedVersion)
Topics: Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Obsessive-Compulsive Spectrum Disorders
Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
Keywords: intolerance of uncertainty, transdiagnostic mechanisms, temporal precedence, experimental manipulation, anxiety, mood disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, negative affect

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Intolerance of Uncertainty as a Transdiagnostic Mechanism of Psychological Difficulties: A Systematic Review of Evidence Pertaining to Causality and Temporal Precedence

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