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Investigating the construct validity of intolerance of uncertainty and its unique relationship with worry
Abstract
Although recent findings suggest that intolerance of uncertainty is a fundamental construct involved in excessive worry, additional research is required to further establish the construct validity of intolerance of uncertainty and demonstrate its unique contribution to the understanding of worry. The present study examined the relationships among measures of worry, intolerance of uncertainty, intolerance of ambiguity, perfectionism, and perceived control in a sample of 197 university students. The findings indicated that intolerance of uncertainty moderately overlaps with earlier conceptualizations of intolerance of ambiguity; however, worry was more highly related to intolerance of uncertainty than to intolerance of ambiguity. Intolerance of uncertainty also emerged as the most salient predictor of worry compared to other cognitive processes such as perfectionism and perceived control. Worry and intolerance of uncertainty continued to be significantly related after controlling for intolerance of ambiguity, perfectionism, and perceived control, which implies that intolerance of uncertainty shares a unique association with worry that is not accounted for by these other cognitive factors. Overall, the findings provide evidence of construct validity and underscore the role of intolerance of uncertainty in the conceptualization of worry.
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In the citing paper
“considering evidence that intolerance of uncertainty is positively related to psychological inflexibility and negatively related to post-traumatic growth32,45,62”
In the citing paper
“is proposed to be a key maintaining factor in chronic worry (Buhr and Dugas, 2006; Dugas et al ., 2004; Freeston et al .,1994)”
From Effectiveness and predictors of group cognitive behaviour therapy outcome for generalised anxiety disorder in an out-patient hospital setting (2024) · cites this paper as Buhr and Dugas, 2006
In the citing paper
“IU is proposed to be one of the key factors that exacerbates and maintains chronic worry (Buhr and Dugas, 2006; Dugas et al ., 2004).”
From Effectiveness and predictors of group cognitive behaviour therapy outcome for generalised anxiety disorder in an out-patient hospital setting (2024) · cites this paper as Buhr and Dugas, 2006
In the citing paper
“Despite the transdiagnostic nature of IU (for a review, see Carleton, 2012), the relationship between IU and GAD is not accounted for by shared variance with other anxiety disorders, mood disorders, negative affect, perfectionism or need for control (Buhr & Dugas, 2006; Norton et al., 2005).”
From Behavioral Experiments for Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Randomized Clinical Trial for Adults With Generalized Anxiety Disorder (2022) · cites this paper as Buhr & Dugas, 2006
In the citing paper
“Worry and IU continued to be significantly correlated after controlling for intolerance for ambiguity, perfectionism, and perceived control (Buhr & Dugas, 2006).”
From Extension of the Transdiagnostic Model to Focus on Intolerance of Uncertainty: A Review of the Literature and Implications for Treatment (2014) · cites this paper as Buhr & Dugas, 2006
In the citing paper
“IU has been linked to the development and maintenance of worry and Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) (Buhr and Dugas 2006, 2009, 2012; Dugas et al. 1997, 2005; Freeston et al. 1994)”
From Towards a Treatment for Intolerance of Uncertainty for Autistic Adults: A Single Case Experimental Design Study. (2018) · cites this paper as Buhr and Dugas 2006
In the citing paper
“People with a high intolerance of uncertainty see uncertain situations as stressful and sad.[53]”
From Psychological Distress of Breast Cancer Survivors During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Factors: A Controlled Study. (2023) · cites this paper as [53]
In the citing paper
“Numerous studies suggest IU is a cognitive vulnerability factor for worry (e.g.Buhr & Dugas, 2006; Koerner & Dugas, 2008).”
From Applicability of the intolerance of uncertainty model to Generalized Anxiety Disorder symptoms in young people (2021) · cites this paper as Buhr & Dugas, 2006
Citations
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Metadata
- Authors
- Buhr, K., & Dugas, M. J.
- Affiliations
- Concordia University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Dugas, Michel J.
- ORCID
- Dugas, Michel J.
- Venue
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2006
- Volume
- 20
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 222-236
- ISSN
- 0887-6185 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1978488323
- Semantic Scholar
- 1284dc569568791a0bb63d5c8f0f64bf36c254ff
- Cited by
- 421
- References
- 50
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 22 · 2023: 25 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 47 · 2020: 22 · 2019: 26 · 2018: 23 · 2017: 23 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 32 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 17
- FWCI
- 6.49
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Keywords
- intolerance of uncertainty, worry, construct validity, intolerance of ambiguity, perfectionism, perceived control, university students, anxiety
- MeSH terms
- Adaptation, Psychological, Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Culture, Defense Mechanisms, Female, Humans, Internal-External Control, Male, Psychometrics, Reference Values, Statistics as Topic, Students, Reproducibility of Results, Uncertainty
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