Developing scales measuring disorder-specific intolerance of uncertainty (DSIU): a new perspective on transdiagnostic
Open accessAbstract
Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a construct of growing prominence in literature on anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. Existing measures of IU do not define the uncertainty that respondents perceive as distressing. To address this limitation, we developed eight scales measuring disorder-specific intolerance of uncertainty (DSIU) relating to various anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. We used exploratory factor analysis and item characteristic curves in two large undergraduate samples (Ns=627 and 628) to derive eight three-item DSIU scales (24 items total) that exhibited excellent psychometric properties. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the factor structures of the scales and the transdiagnostic nature of IU. Each scale predicted unique variance in its respective symptom measure beyond a traditional measure of IU. DSIU represents a theoretically proximal and causal intermediary between known vulnerability factors and disorder symptomatology. The DSIU scales can be used to advance theories of psychopathology and inform case conceptualization and treatment planning.
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The overall IUS-12 has excellent general internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.92), as do the Prospective IU (α = 0.87) and Inhibitory IU (α = 0.90) subscales.
“The overall scale has excellent general internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha [α] = 0.92), as do the Prospective IU (α = 0.87) and Inhibitory IU (α = 0.90) subscales. 17”
From Psychometric properties of the brazilian intolerance of uncertainty scale – short version (Ius-12) (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
The Introduction (page unavailable) says the IUS-12 has shown excellent psychometric properties in previous research. The Results discuss IUS-12 scores alongside the disorder-specific scales, but the passages found do not report Cronbach’s alpha for the IUS-12 or its Prospective and Inhibitory IU subscales; none of the three cited values is supported by this copy. (LLM, conf=0.80)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThe disorder-specific foci of our treatments may more specifically target IU within each problem area, and there is evidence that disorder-specific IU explains unique variance in symptoms above and beyond trait IU.
“It may be that the disorder-specific foci of our treatments more specifically target IU within each problem area, and indeed there is evidence that disorder-specific IU explains unique variance in symptoms above and beyond trait IU (Mahoney & McEvoy, 2012a;Thibodeau et al., 2015).”
From The search for universal transdiagnostic and trans-therapy change processes: Evidence for intolerance of uncertainty (2016) · cites this paper as Thibodeau et al., 2015
Current extensive evidence suggests positive correlations between IU and anxiety-related constructs such as worry, anxiety sensitivity, obsessions and compulsions, and fear of negative evaluation.
“Current extensive evidence suggests positive correlations between IU and anxiety-related constructs such as worry, 7 anxiety sensitivity, 17 obsessions and compulsions, 12 and fear of negative evaluation. 19”
From Psychometric properties of the brazilian intolerance of uncertainty scale – short version (Ius-12) (2020) · cites this paper as [17]
Citation 17 is attached specifically to the claimed positive correlation between IU and anxiety sensitivity. Section 2.2.1 mentions anxiety sensitivity only as a construct used to inform panic-disorder scale items; the Results report associations with disorder symptoms, not an IU–anxiety-sensitivity correlation. Searches for “anxiety sensitivity” and that correlation found no passage establishing it. (LLM, conf=0.72)
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References 56 · Cited by 59
- Authors
- Thibodeau, M. A., Carleton, R. N., McEvoy, P. M., Zvolensky, M. J., Brandt, C. P., Boelen, P. A., Mahoney, A. E. J., Deacon, B. J., & Asmundson, G. J. G.
- Affiliations
- University of Regina (CA)
- Curtin University (AU)
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (US)
- University of Houston (US)
- Utrecht University (NL)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- University of Wollongong (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Asmundson, Gordon J.G.
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2015-04
- Volume
- 31
- Pages
- 49-57
- ISSN
- 0887-6185 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2084831311
- Semantic Scholar
- 5663b5ed6c3ce66d6eec7d27d8acd3c4ce163db2
- Cited by
- 59
- References
- 56
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 14
- FWCI
- 12.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- bronze
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Online (University of Wollongong) (submittedVersion)
- Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- eSpace (Curtin University) (submittedVersion)
- Utrecht University Repository (Utrecht University) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Canadian Institutes of Health Research (113434)
- University of Regina President's Chair for Academic Excellence in Adult Mental Health Research
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Management Science and Operations Research › Psychometric Methodologies and Testing
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- intolerance of uncertainty, transdiagnostic constructs, anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, scale development, psychometric properties, item characteristic curves, factor structure, vulnerability factors, psychopathology
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety Disorders, Major Depressive Disorder, Factor Analysis, Statistical, Female, Humans, Male, Psychiatric Status Rating Scales, Psychometrics, Risk Factors, Students, Uncertainty, Young Adult, Self Report
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