Decision-Making Styles and Intolerance of Uncertainty.

Unpredictable pain timings lead to greater pain when people are highly intolerant of uncertainty

Decisional procrastination in university students is affected by several factors that could hinder its reduction and, among these factors, the styles of decision-making and the tolerance of uncertainty have been poorly investigated during the pandemic. This study analyzed the associations of procrastination with decision-making styles and intolerance of uncertainty in 209 freshmen of Degrees in Psychology at the University of Catania (Italy). The Decisional Procrastination Scale, the Decision-Making Styles, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale were used. Results: 1) decisional procrastination is associated positively with doubtfulness, and proxy, but negatively with no problem style; 2) decisional procrastination is strongly related both to prospective and inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty; 3) decision-making styles (doubtfulness, and proxy) are positively related both to prospective and inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty; finally, 4) no problem style is negatively associated both with prospective and inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty. The expected results indicated that freshmen who procrastinate in their decisions during the pandemic are likely to use dysfunctional decision-making styles and are oriented toward the unacceptability of uncertainty.

Objective: This study aims to explore the relationships among hopelessness, cognitive flexibility, intolerance of uncertainty, and perceived stress in a non-clinical sample by proposing a multiple mediation model. It was suggested that hopeless individuals have low cognitive flexibility and high intolerance of uncertainty; consequently, they are more likely to perceive stress. Method: The participants of this study comprised 302 university students (46.7% female and 53.3% male) between 18 and 40 years of age who were recruited from a state university in Turkey. To collect data, Beck Hopelessness Scale, Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and Perceived Stress Scale were applied. Results: The results showed that hopelessness is negatively correlated with cognitive flexibility and positively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. Cognitive flexibility has been found to be negatively correlated with intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. There is also a positive correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and perceived stress. The mediation of cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty in the relationship between hopelessness and perceived stress is also statistically significant in the model, and all variables explain approximately 37.0% of the variance in perceived stress. Conclusion: The findings of the study are considered to provide a guide for mental health professionals and researchers.

Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) is characterized by considerable uncertainty due to the unpredictable nature of attacks and their variable impact on functionality. This uncertainty contributes to patients' fear of attacks, which in turn adversely affects their well-being and quality of life. However, the underlying mechanisms driving this fear remain insufficiently understood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationships among fear of relapse, perfectionism, and intolerance of uncertainty in individuals with RRMS. This descriptive, cross-sectional study included 222 patients with RRMS. Participants completed the Frost Perfectionism Scale to assess maladaptive perfectionism, the Fear of Relapse Scale to measure fear of relapse, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. According to the study's findings, perfectionism was significantly associated with increased intolerance of uncertainty (β = 0.51, p < 0.001) and heightened fear of relapse (total effect β = 0.39, p < 0.001). Intolerance of uncertainty was also positively related to fear of relapse (β = 0.37, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis further revealed that intolerance of uncertainty significantly mediated the relationship between perfectionism and fear of relapse, accounting for approximately 48% of the total effect (indirect effect β = 0.19, 95% CI [0.11, 0.26]). The findings indicated that both perfectionism and intolerance of uncertainty significantly influence the fear of relapse in RRMS patients. Therefore, intervention strategies designed to address maladaptive perfectionistic tendencies and high intolerance of uncertainty may help reduce fear of relapses and ultimately enhance the quality of life for individuals with MS.

Background: The present study was conducted to predict attitudes towards illness based on early maladaptive schemas and intolerance of uncertainty in individuals with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 62 patients with MS (72% of them were female). They were selected based on availability and voluntary participation. Data were collected through three questionnaires: the Illness Attitudes Scale, the Intolerance of Uncertainty scale, and the Yang Schema Questionnaire. Results: The mean age (±SD) of the participants and duration of diagnosis was 36.10±7.05 yr, and 4.21±3.78 yr, respectively. The results showed that 18 early maladaptive schemas, together with intolerance of uncertainty, can predict up to 8.9% of illness attitude in patients with MS. Among the early maladaptive schemas, schemas of emotional deprivation, social isolation-alienation, abandonment-instability, failure, dependence-underdeveloped self, vulnerability, trapped-victim, emotional inhibition, stubborn/fault-finding standards, self-control disciplinary, seeking attention-seeking approval, and negativity/pessimism had a significant relationship with attitudes towards illness (p&lt;0.05). Additionally, there was a significant relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and all its dimensions with attitudes towards illness (p&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Early maladaptive schemas and intolerance of uncertainty can predict illness attitudes in patients with MS. Patients with MS who have high intolerance of uncertainty are more likely to interpret ambiguous information as threatening. Therefore, effective interventions in the field of uncertainty intolerance for these patients can likely be effective in improving their attitudes towards illness and preventing the exacerbation of their symptoms.

This study aimed to investigate the individual characteristics of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and its association with mental health symptoms among Chinese college students during COVID-19. In total, 86,767 students completed the online survey in Guangdong province in June 2021. Data collected including socio-demographic and COVID-19-related information, IU, and mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia, and suicidal ideation). Latent profile analysis was used to classify IU subgroups. Logistic regression was used to identify IU risk factors. Four IU subgroups were identified, named low IU (n = 9,197, 10.6%), medium-low IU (n = 25,514, 29.4%), medium-high IU (n = 38,805, 44.7%), and high IU (n = 13,251, 15.3%). Scores of mental health symptoms varied from the degree of IU in the latent profiles. Mental health status was the worst in the high IU group. In addition, females, freshmen, and those perceiving more impacts from COVID-19 and spending longer time surfing COVID-19 information online were at risk of high IU. Our findings showed that individuals differ in the total degree of intolerance of the uncertainties. Students with high IU were associated with worse mental health symptoms. Thus, taking actions to target individuals with high IU and developing their adaptive coping strategies are imperative during pandemics.

BackgroundOur study examined the use of decision-making styles, as identified by Scott and Bruce (1995) (i.e. differentiating between a rational, intuitive, dependent, avoidant and spontaneous decision-making style), within the context of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening participation. In the field of cancer screening, informed decision-making is considered important, which follows the Rational Decision model. Subsequently, gaining more insight into decision-making styles being used in real life, could improve support to people when making their screening decision. In addition, we examined whether the decision-making style that people used was associated with their experienced decisional conflict.MethodsAn online survey was carried out among a sample of first-time CRC screening invitees (1282 respondents, response rate 49%). We assessed people’s decision-making styles, CRC screening participation, education level, self-reported health literacy, and decisional conflict, and examined the possible associations between them.ResultsIn our study, people who had to decide about CRC screening scored high on using both a rational and intuitive decision-making style. Respondents scoring higher on using a spontaneous or dependent decision-making style were more likely to have participated in CRC screening, while respondents scoring higher on using an avoidant decision-making style were more likely not to have participated in CRC screening. However, differences were small. Generally, people in our study experienced low decisional conflict.ConclusionOur eligible CRC screening population scored high on using both a rational and intuitive decision-making style. To optimise support to people, public education materials could be appealing more to the intuitive processes at hand. That being said, the current education materials aimed at informed/rational decision-making do not necessarily seem to create a problem, as people generally experienced low decisional conflict. Possible concerns regarding the use of a spontaneous, dependent or avoidant decision-making style could be that these styles might be contributing to less informed decisions. However, it is relevant to consider that the found differences are small and that any possible concern applies to a relatively small group of people.

Objective: The purpose of our research is to determine the relations between; intolerance of uncertainty, worry and test anxiety into a non-clinical sample. Methods: Our research consists of 174 students studying Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in various departments of the Uskudar University. Intolerance of uncertainty scale, cognitive test anxiety scale, and Penn State worry scale have used for collecting data. Inter-scale relations were examined by correlation and regression analysis methods. For scores obtained from scales compared to socio-demographic data statistical techniques have been used such as independent sample t-test and ANOVA. Results: According to the findings, there is a strong and positive correlation between test anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and worry. Female students’ uncertainty intolerance and test anxiety levels were higher than the male students. On the other hand, in terms of variables such as age, income and shelter preferences, the students’ exam anxiety did not differ significantly. Conclusions: The researches show that the higher intolerance of uncertainty which is a cognitive vulnerability, leads to higher levels of both worry and anxiety. In addition, intolerance of uncertainty has known as a consistent indicator of pathological worry. In light of this information, in our research, it is found that high intolerance of uncertainty and worry caused the test anxiety. The reason why both female students and students with higher success rankings are more intolerant of uncertainty may be related to their upbringing and their role in society and role models.

Introduction: Parents of survivors of childhood cancer may be particularly vulnerable to the experience of poor mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to (1) describe the mental health of parents of childhood cancer survivors; (2) explore the role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in mental health; and (3) explore the associations of parent mental health and health behaviors with IU. Methods: A cross-sectional, quantitative assessment of parents of survivors of childhood cancer (younger than 18 years) was conducted between May and June 2020. Participants completed an online questionnaire regarding their mental health (PROMIS anxiety, depression), IU (Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale), and health behaviors. Recruitment was conducted through social media and community organizations using convenience and snowball sampling. Results: Seventy-two participants from 6 countries completed the study (99% mothers, mean age of survivors = 11.4 years). Fifty percent of participants reported that their mental health had declined since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, whereas 46% reported their mental health did not change. More than half of the participants (56%) reported decreased physical activity and 38% reported increased alcohol use. Exploring associations of parent mental health and health behaviors with IU, parent depression, and hours of exercise emerged as significant predictors (B = 3.62, P &lt; .01; B = –1.58, P &lt; .01, respectively), whereby higher depression and less exercise was associated with higher IU. Conclusions: At the height of the COVID-19 global pandemic, some parents of survivors of childhood cancer experienced poor mental health. IU plays a significant role in mental health outcomes, but this does not translate to health behaviors.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is widely considered a transdiagnostic risk and maintaining factor for psychiatric disorders. However, little is known about the overall nature and profile of IU among adolescents. This study aims to investigate the profiles of IU among Chinese adolescents and explore their associations with sociodemographic characteristics and mental health problems. A sample of 108,540 adolescents provided data on IU, sociodemographic characteristics, and mental health via an online platform. Latent profile analysis revealed three profiles: Low IU, Medium IU, and High IU. Girls, older adolescents, and those with specific sociodemographics were more likely to belong to the "High IU" profile. Furthermore, the "High IU" profile was associated with the highest risk of several mental health problems. These findings provided valuable information for early prevention and intervention strategies targeting IU and highlighted the importance of IU-based interventions for mental health among adolescents.

Adults with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) are reported to display discrepancy between self-reported somatic anxiety symptoms and physiological indices. Whilst physiological indices indicate a reduced physiological response, self-report measures reflect the perception of heightened and aversive somatic symptoms. It is unclear whether the discrepancy between perceived and observed somatic arousal in adults with GAD, extends into adolescence. This study aimed to investigate whether in healthy adolescents the degree of intolerance of uncertainty (a core construct in the development of GAD), affected the perception of somatic arousal in anxiety provoking situations, to determine if the discrepancy between perceived and observed physiological arousal, evident in adults with GAD, is present in adolescence. The sample were 33 healthy adolescents recruited from school settings (mean age 12 years) divided in to two groups based on the presence of either high or low intolerance of uncertainty as measured by a brief self-report tool. Differences in physiological arousal, measured via electrodermal activity, were assessed in the two groups during a decision making task used to induce a mild state of anxiety. During the decision making task, adolescents with low intolerance of uncertainty reported lower levels of anxiety relative to a more flexible physiological response pattern, than those with high intolerance of uncertainty. The adolescents with high intolerance of uncertainty reported higher levels of anxiety relative to a less flexible physiological response pattern than those in the low IU group. The results indicate that the pattern of dissociation between physiological and self-reports of somatic symptoms in adults with GAD, is detectable in a sample of healthy adolescents with high intolerance of uncertainty. The study extends the current understanding of anxiety in adolescence and specifies future research, with the potential to improve treatment options for this distressing disorder.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is the tendency to find uncertainty distressing. IU is related to anxiety in adults and youth but it is unclear whether IU plays a maintenance or causal role, particularly across childhood. Our research examined whether: (1) IU is associated with generalised anxiety in preschool-aged children; (2) IU in preschool-aged children is associated with the trajectory of generalised anxiety into middle childhood; and (3) IU is associated with the trajectory of internalising symptoms and externalising symptoms over time. Parents completed questionnaires (child anxiety, IU, internalising and externalising symptoms) about their children at three timepoints when their child was: 3-4 years old (n = 180); 5-7 years old (n = 162); and 8-10 years old (n = 148). Those with higher IU had higher concurrent generalised anxiety, internalising and externalising symptoms at each measurement point. Preschoolers with higher IU, relative to lower IU, had, on average, higher generalised anxiety across childhood. Unexpectedly though, children who were higher in IU as preschoolers were more likely to show a decrease in generalised anxiety over time. These findings indicate that IU is a consistent correlate of generalised anxiety, internalising and externalising symptoms, but that it may not play a causal role in the onset of generalised anxiety in children.

Examining familial risk factors for social anxiety disorder: Intolerance of uncertainty and related personality traits.

Background:The global opioid use problem presents a complex public health challenge characterized by increasing overdoses, addiction rates, and fatalities. Personal factors such as cognitive traits, distress tolerance, and decision-making styles play a crucial role in influencing opioid use trajectories.Aim:This study aimed to investigate decision-making styles, magical ideation, and intolerance of uncertainty among current and past opioid users and healthy controls to contribute to the literature on opioid use disorder.Methods:Three groups were involved: current opioid users (n = 94), past opioid users (n = 93), and healthy controls (n = 100). Participants completed self-report scales assessing magical ideation, intolerance of uncertainty, and decision-making styles. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression.Results:Current opioid users exhibited lower vigilance decision-making styles and higher magical ideation scores than past users and controls. Decisional self-esteem correlated positively with vigilant decision-making in current and past opioid users. Magical ideation scores correlated positively with maladaptive decision-making styles across all groups. Intolerance of uncertainty did not differ significantly between groups.Conclusions:This study emphasizes that decision-making styles and magical thinking might have significant roles in opioid use disorder. These results contribute valuable insights to tailor interventions and support systems for individuals struggling with opioid use disorder.

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is thought to be involved with the psychological factors that influence the symptoms in patients with burning mouth syndrome (BMS) and affect their limited satisfaction with the treatments provided. However, the influence of IU on satisfaction has not been explored in detail. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether IU can affect the satisfaction of patients with BMS. A total of 34 patients with BMS and 100 patients without the disease who visited the general dental clinic were included in the study. They were required to complete a questionnaire measuring the subjective severity of their symptoms and satisfaction with their oral state, and a short IU scale. The BMS patients were separated from the control patients based on the IU score. The coefficients between the severity of symptoms and satisfaction were calculated to examine the influence of IU on the relationship between the two variables. The relationship between satisfaction and severity of symptoms was significant in BMS patients with high IU, but not in control patients with low IU. This study demonstrated that IU in BMS patients influences the relationship between the severity of symptoms and the satisfaction, thus indicating that the dissatisfaction in BMS patients with high IU might be prevented by decreasing the IU. Limited satisfaction experienced by BMS patients can influence the patient-doctor relationship. This study provides suggestions for building a good patient-doctor relationship.