Intolerance of uncertainty: Exploring its dimensionality and associations with need for cognitive closure, psychopathology, and personality
Abstract
The dimensionality and correlates of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) were examined in a sample of 239 university students. In addition to completing the IUS, participants completed measures of worrying, anxious arousal, anhedonic depression, the big five personality dimensions, and the Need for Closure Scale. A factor analysis of the IUS suggested that it includes the following dimensions: (a) desire for predictability; (b) tendency to become paralyzed in the face of uncertainty; (c) tendency to experience distress in the face of uncertainty; and (d) inflexible uncertainty beliefs. Subscale scores computed on the basis of the factor analysis were differentially associated with the other variables.
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Desire for predictability was associated with both conscientiousness (r = .29) and neuroticism (r = .29) and was less strongly associated with extraversion (r = .06) than uncertainty paralysis (r = −.23).
“Desire for predictability was associated with both conscientiousness (r = .29) and neuroticism (r = .29) and was less strongly associated with extraversion (r = .06) than uncertainty paralysis (r = −.23).”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
Understanding of IU would be enhanced by a focus on two of the four factors: uncertainty paralysis and desire for predictability.
“The authors concluded that our understanding of IU would be enhanced by a focus on two of the four factors: uncertainty paralysis and desire for predictability”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
Desire for predictability may directly increase worry whereas uncertainty paralysis would contribute to avoidant behavior, which would maintain a pattern of worrying and be an obstacle to exposure treatments.
“theorizing that desire for predictability may directly increase worry whereas uncertainty paralysis would contribute to avoidant behavior, which would maintain a pattern of worrying and be an obstacle to exposure treatments (Berenbaum et al., 2008).”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
Neither inflexible uncertainty beliefs (r = .04) nor desire for predictability (r = .03) obtained significant correlations with anxious arousal despite both demonstrating strong correlations with worry (rs = .50 and .46, respectively).
“Neither inflexible uncertainty beliefs (r = .04) nor desire for predictability (r = .03) obtained significant correlations with anxious arousal despite both demonstrating strong correlations with worry (rs = .50 and .46, respectively).”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
Uncertainty paralysis demonstrated the highest correlation with worry (r = .63) and a moderate correlation with anhedonic depression (r = .31).
“Uncertainty paralysis demonstrated the highest correlation with worry (r = .63) and a moderate correlation with anhedonic depression (r = .31).”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
A factor analysis on the original IUS revealed four factors: desire for predictability, uncertainty paralysis, distress experienced in the face of uncertainty, and inflexible uncertainty beliefs.
“A factor analysis on the original IUS revealed four factors.”
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 Berenbaum, Bredemeier, and Thompson, 2008
Additional support for the importance of these two dimensions is drawn from studies investigating the relationship between IU and other psychological constructs.
“Additional support for the importance of these two dimensions is drawn from studies investigating the relationship between IU and other psychological constructs (Berenbaum et al., 2008; McEvoy and Mahoney, 2011a, 2011b).”
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 Berenbaum et al., 2008
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- Authors
- Berenbaum, H., Bredemeier, K., & Thompson, R. J.
- Affiliations
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US)
- Corresponding author
- Berenbaum, Howard
- Venue
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 117-125
- ISSN
- 0887-6185 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2042133173
- Cited by
- 301
- References
- 14
- Citations by year
- 2026: 17 · 2025: 18 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 29 · 2022: 36 · 2021: 25 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 21 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 20 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 13 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 11
- FWCI
- 6.82
- 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 › Personality Traits and Psychology
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Perfectionism, Procrastination, Anxiety Studies
- Keywords
- intolerance of uncertainty, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, need for cognitive closure, psychopathology, personality, worry, anxious arousal, anhedonic depression, Big Five personality traits, factor structure, university students
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Anxiety, Cognition, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Personality, Psychological Tests, Psychopathology, United States, Uncertainty
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