Intolerance Of Uncertainty Scale Research Articles

FEATURES OF COPING STRATEGIES IN CONDITIONS OF UNCERTAINTY OF WARTIME

Relevance. The purpose of this article is to empirically investigate the discrepancies in the selection of coping strategies among groups of people during war under various conditions of uncertainty. Methodology. The sample consists of 186 residents of Ukrainian cities who live under various conditions of uncertainty. Methods: author’s questionnaire, methods: «Test for psychological diagnostics of coping mechanisms (E. Heim)», «The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12) (N. Carleton, adaptation by H. Gromova)»; mathematical methods for processing empirical data using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 package. Results. Respondent groups, based on their location relative to the front line, show statistically significant discrepancies in cognitive and behavioral coping strategies. The empirical study’s analysis showed that individuals living in the front and near-front zones often compare their problems with others and downplay their difficulties more frequently (41,94%) than those living further from the front line (21.94%). Furthermore, individuals closer to the front line show a higher tendency to employ the adaptive coping strategy «altruism» (19.35%), that is, they offer help to others in overcoming difficulties more often than those living further from the front line (6.45%). Both groups predominantly employ relatively adaptive coping strategies. However, a divergence in problem-solving approaches exists: individuals in the front and near-front zones typically avoid problem-solving by engaging in a favorite activity, whereas the other group tends to evade problem-solving by resorting to alcohol, medicines, sedatives, or indulging in tasty food. The study did not identify statistically significant differences between groups regarding intolerance to uncertainty.

TO ASSESS SLEEP DISTURBANCE AND INTOLERANCE OF UNCERTAINTY MEDIATED BY EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AMONG YOUNG ADULTS DURING A PANDEMIC OUTBREAK

Covid-19 Pandemic has created a lot of uncertainty in young adults. Daily lifestyle has changed a lot because of this uncertain situation especially sleep pattern has been disturbed. Hence, this study aims to examine the Sleep disturbance (improper sleep pattern) and Intolerance of uncertainty mediated (viewing uncertainty as negative) by Emotional intelligence (having awareness and regulating of one’s and others’ emotions) among young adults during a pandemic outbreak. An online questionnaire, including socio-demographics, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), and Emotional Intelligence Scale (EIS), was administered to young adults (n=200). There is a significant positive correlation between sleep disturbance and intolerance of uncertainty (.367**), a significant negative correlation between sleep disturbance and emotional intelligence (-.329**), and Intolerance of uncertainty and emotional intelligence is negatively correlated (-.450**). On mediational analysis is revealed that emotional intelligence is partially mediating between Sleep disturbance and Intolerance of uncertainty. On Chi-square, it was seen that there is an association between Sleep disturbance and domicile and person’s tested, covid positive in the past 1 year. Emotional intelligence has an association with family type. Sleep disturbance and Intolerance to uncertainty can be improved by enhancing Emotional intelligence. KEYWORDS: Covid-19 Pandemic, Young adults, Sleep disturbance, Intolerance to uncertainty, and Emotional intelligence.

Adult attachment and OCD symptoms: the mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty and beliefs about losing control

ABSTRACT Objectives Attachment orientation has been argued to play a role in the development and maintenance of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms, but this relationship has yet to be fully understood. Attachment orientation may also contribute to appraisals of uncertainty such as threatening and negative beliefs about the consequences of loss of control, constructs which may also be associated with OCD. The present study aimed to investigate whether intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and negative beliefs about losing control (BALC) mediate the relationship between attachment and OCD symptoms. Method Two hundred and five participants were recruited from the general community to undertake a cross-sectional online survey which included the Experiences in Close Relationships Scale-Revised, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale – 12 item, the Beliefs About Losing Control Inventory, and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised. Results Attachment anxiety, attachment avoidance, IU, and BALC were positively correlated with OCD symptoms. Both attachment dimensions were associated with IU and BALC. IU and BALC were found to be serial multiple mediators in the relationship between both attachment dimensions and OCD symptoms, though only the relationship between attachment anxiety and OCD remained significant when controlling for the corresponding attachment dimension. Conclusion The results suggest that IU and BALC may play a key role in the relationship between attachment and OCD symptoms.

Relationship of Attentional Control and Intolerance of Uncertainty with Hoarding Behaviour among University Boarding Students

Background: Hoarding disorder is increasingly recognized as a significant mental health condition characterized by an excessive acquisition and difficulty in discarding possessions. While previous research has identified genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors contributing to hoarding behaviors, studies in the Pakistani context, particularly among university students, are scarce. This study investigates the role of attentional control and intolerance of uncertainty in relation to hoarding behaviors among university boarding students in Pakistan. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationships between hoarding behaviors, attentional control, and intolerance of uncertainty, and to explore the demographic influences on these variables, with a focus on gender differences. Methods: Utilizing a correlational and cross-sectional design, this study recruited a balanced sample of 200 university boarding students (100 males and 100 females) via simple random sampling. The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), Attention Control Scale (ATC), and Saving Inventory Scale (SI-R) were employed to measure the respective constructs. Data were collected through paper-based questionnaires, with analysis conducted using SPSS version 25. Statistical methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and t-tests for gender comparison. Results: The results indicated a moderate positive correlation between hoarding behaviors and intolerance of uncertainty (r = .33, p < .01), and a negative correlation between attentional control and intolerance of uncertainty (r = -.19, p < .01). Gender differences were significant, with males exhibiting higher mean scores in hoarding behaviors (M = 45.13, SD = 10.67) compared to females (M = 39.12, SD = 10.38), and similar patterns were observed for other studied variables. Education and socioeconomic status showed no significant effects on the relationships studied. Conclusion: The study underscores the significant impact of intolerance of uncertainty and attentional control on hoarding behaviors among university students in Pakistan, with distinct gender differences suggesting the need for targeted interventions. This research contributes to the understanding of hoarding in a novel cultural context and supports the development of specific therapeutic strategies focusing on cognitive and emotional regulation.

Examining the Effects of Impulsivity, Intolerance of Uncertainty, and Smartphone Management Styles on Smartphone Addiction with the Mediating Role of Warm Executive Functions

Objective: The increasing use and influence of mobile phones on individuals' daily habits, behaviors, and lifestyles have brought significant changes and may cause serious and important problems in people's lives. This study investigated the impact of variables such as impulsivity and intolerance of uncertainty, along with smartphone management styles on smartphone addiction, mediated by warm executive functions. Methods and Materials: The current study was descriptive and correlational. The sample consisted of 722 high school students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using the Bianchi and Phillips (2005) Mobile Phone Addiction Questionnaire, the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (1997), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale by Dugas et al. (1998), the Hsieh, Jen, and Chou (2019) Smartphone Management Styles Questionnaire, and the BRIEF Executive Functions Questionnaire (Parent Form) by Gerard et al. (2000). Data analysis was conducted using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) through AMOS software version 25. Findings: Results indicated significant inverse relationships between impulsivity and warm executive functions (β = -0.74, p < 0.001), impulsivity and smartphone addiction (β = -0.56, p < 0.001), and warm executive functions and smartphone addiction (β = -0.51, p < 0.001). Direct and significant relationships were found between intolerance of uncertainty and warm executive functions (β = 0.66, p < 0.001), intolerance of uncertainty and smartphone addiction (β = 0.73, p < 0.001), and warm executive functions and smartphone addiction (β = -0.51, p < 0.001). Significant inverse relationships existed between management styles and warm executive functions (β = -0.83, p < 0.001), and management styles and smartphone addiction (β = -0.71, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, it can be concluded that there are relationships between impulsivity, intolerance of uncertainty, and smartphone management styles with smartphone addiction mediated by warm executive functions.

Childhood Maltreatment and Spiritual Well-Being: Intolerance of Uncertainty and Emotion Regulation as Mediators in Turkish Sample.

Spiritual well-being is a phenomenon that enhances the quality of life and acts as a protective factor against stress and negative emotions. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether childhood psychological maltreatment is related to spiritual well-being and whether intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation serially mediate this relationship. The study sample comprised 330 participants aged between 18 and 55 years from 46 out of the 81 cities in Türkiye. The study participants completed the Psychological Maltreatment Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Emotion Regulation Scale, and Spiritual Well-Being Scale, a scale derived from the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being that measures spiritual well-being by using the conceptualization of meaning and peace. The data obtained were analyzed using a two-step structural equation modeling approach, which indicated that childhood psychological maltreatment has an association with spiritual well-being, and this relationship is mediated by both intolerance of uncertainty and emotion regulation. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature on spiritual well-being.

The predictive roles of parental stress and intolerance of uncertainty on psychological well-being of parents with a newborn in neonatal intensive care unit: a hierarchical linear regression analysis

BackgroundHospitalization of newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) exposes parents to considerable stress. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of parental stress and intolerance of uncertainty on the psychological well-being of parents with a newborn in NICU using hierarchical linear regression analysis.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 130 parents of newborns hospitalized in the NICU. Data were collected using Parental Stress Scale, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and Psychological Wellbeing Scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS v.26 using hierarchical linear regression analysis.ResultsThe mean scores of the parents’ psychological well-being, parental stress, and intolerance of uncertainty were 79.08 (SD = 11.70), 63.06 (SD = 26.71), and 75.38 (SD = 19.40), respectively. The result of the hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed that, in step 1, academic education had a significant proportion of the variance of parents’ psychological well-being (β = 0.26, P = 0.005). In step 2, it was shown that academic education (β=-0.25, P = 0.006) and parental stress (β=-0.25, P = 0.006) had a significant proportion of the variance of parents’ psychological well-being. According to step 2, education levels, parental stress, and intolerance of uncertainty explained 22% of the changes in parents’ psychological well-being.ConclusionThere was a significant association between the parents’ psychological well-being and education levels, intolerance of uncertainty, and parental stress. Academic education and parental stress were the predictors of parents’ psychological well-being. Based on these findings, early detection of parents’ education and stress are important for their psychological well-being.

Impact of Intolerance of Uncertainty on Brain Structural Changes in Panic Disorder.

This study investigated the impact of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on structural changes in the brain and symptom severity in patients with panic disorder. This study included 90 participants diagnosed with panic disorder. The IU Scale, Panic Disorder Severity Scale (PDSS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), Self-Forgiveness Scale (SFS), and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF) were used. A voxel-wise correlation analysis was conducted to investigate the structural differences in the gray matter. As IU increased, the cortical thickness of the right lingual gyrus decreased significantly, while the gray matter volume of the right pars triangularis increased. The cortical thickness of the right lingual gyrus showed a significant negative correlation with the BDI-II score and a positive correlation with the SFS. Additionally, the gray matter volume of the right pars triangularis was positively correlated with the PDSS, PSWQ, and BDI-II scores and negatively correlated with the mental health domain of the SF. According to our findings, elevated IU in participants with panic disorder was associated with cortical thinning in the lingual gyrus and increased gray matter volume in the pars triangularis. These structural alterations may also have an impact on perceived quality of life, as well as high levels of depression and anxiety.

The relationship between tolerance for uncertainty and academic adjustment: the mediating role of students' psychological flexibility during COVID-19.

University students are among the groups most adversely affected by COVID-19 in terms of their psychological and academic wellbeing, particularly given the pandemic's uncertainty. However, little is known about their psychological flexibility to deal with this uncertain nature of pandemic. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of psychological flexibility (PF) in the relationship between university students' intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and their academic adjustment to the online learning process during COVID-19. Data was collected from 388 university students from Türkiye (18-34 (Mage = 21.43, SD = 2.04) who completed five questionnaires - Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II, Academic Self Efficacy Scale, Educational Stress Scale, and Online Self-Regulatory Learning Scale. Additionally, as indicators of students' academic adjustment, perceived academic performance - ranging 1 to 10, and their last academic grade point average before and during the pandemic were also collected. The results indicated that PF and IU had a significant effect on the academic adjustment of students during the pandemic. PF had a complete mediating role between the IU and academic adjustment. Results also revealed that online self-regulation, a sub-dimension of academic adjustment, did not show a significant relationship with any other variable in the model. Research findings showed that psychological flexibility is a very important strength for university students to maintain their academic adjustment in stressful times. The results were discussed in light of the relevant research, and recommendations for further research and implications were provided.

Intolerance of Uncertainty Levels in Families of Children with Special Needs During Covid-19 Process

The objective of this study was to investigate the levels of intolerance of uncertainty among families of children with special needs during the Covid-19 pandemic, with respect to various factors. The study utilized a relational survey model and included 250 families of children with special needs who participated in the research during the Fall academic year of 2020-2021. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic's unavoidable circumstances, data were collected electronically via Google Forms. To gather the data, a "Demographic Information Form" and an "Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale" were administered. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 26.0 software. The results indicated that families of children with special needs had a higher level of intolerance of uncertainty, as indicated by the scale's overall scores and the prospective anxiety sub-dimension(p>0.05). The study further revealed that the families' income level and whether one of their relatives had Covid-19 significantly impacted their intolerance of uncertainty levels(p>0.05). However, there were no significant differences based on the families' age, gender, marital status, Covid-19 status, loss of a loved one due to Covid-19, chronic illness, or job loss during the pandemic(p>0.05).Based on studies examining the intolerance of families of children with special needs to uncertainty, efforts can be made to provide psychological support to families of children with special needs.Seminars can be organized for families of children with special needs by institution managers or special education teachers.

Intolerance of Uncertainty as a Mediator on the Relationship Between Adult Attachment and PTSD

Established evidence suggests that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with both adult attachment and traumatic stress, yet the role of IU as an underlying mechanism between attachment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is to be explained. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of IU in the relationship between adult attachment styles and PTSD. A cross-sectional study with 335 university students was conducted in Turkiye. Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), The Experiences in Close Relationships Revised (ECR-R) Questionnaire, The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IU) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were used to measure potential traumatic events (PTE), adult attachment styles, intolerance of uncertainty and PTSD, respectively. Results revealed that IU mediated the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and PTSD. The results offer a valuable understanding of the intricate interplay between attachment styles and PTSD, shedding light on the underlying factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of PTSD symptoms. For those who have experienced trauma and show anxious or avoidant attachment patterns, combining strategies to address intolerance of uncertainty with attachment-oriented therapies could have beneficial effects on conditions like PTSD, which are often passed down between generations.

Examining the relationship between the pre-hospital incident scene management of the paramedic students and their anxiety levels and perception of leadership

AimThe aim of this study is to examine the relationship between the pre-hospital incident scene management of paramedic students and their anxiety levels and perception of leadership. MethodThe sample of this descriptive correlational study consisted of 2nd-year students (N = 157) attending the associate degree program of the vocational school of healthcare services in two universities located in the eastern Turkey. No sample selection was used and the study was completed with 130 students. The data were collected using Socio-Demographic Data Form, Incident Scene Description Form, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and Multidimensional Leadership Orientations Scale. The data were analyzed using number, percentage distribution, mean, and standard deviation. Normally distributed data were analyzed by correlation analysis. ResultsIt was found that 65.4 % of the participants were female, 69.2 % received education on incident scene at the university, 52.3 % stated that this education was adequate, 58.5 % received education on leadership and crisis management at the university, and 60.7 % had no further suggestions for their education at the university. The mean scores of the students’ knowledge on incident scene management were 15.77 ± 4.5, their total mean scores of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale were 35.38 ± 10.31, and their total mean scores of the Multidimensional Leadership Orientations Scale were 57.77 ± 20.26. A statistically significant negative very weak correlation was found between the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale and the Multidimensional Leadership Orientations Scale (r = -0.225, p < 0.010). ConclusionThe results of this study revealed that the students had a low level of knowledge about crime scene management. As their anxiety levels increased, their perception of leadership decreased. It can be suggested to organize in-service and simulation trainings that will increase students' awareness of the courses related to crime scene management in their curriculum.

COVID-19 Pandemi Sürecinde Hemşirelerde Belirsizliğe Tahammülsüzlük ve Ölüm Kaygısı Arasındaki İlişki

Aim: This study was aimed to determine the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and death anxiety of nurses during the COVID-19 outbreak. &#x0D; Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 449 nurses. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and Death Anxiety Scale. &#x0D; Results: It was determined that intolerance of uncertainty and death anxiety were higher in those who have had COVID-19, have lost a loved one due to COVID-19, and have witnessed patient death due to COVID-19. &#x0D; Conclusions: It was determined that the COVID-19 outbreak increased the intolerance of uncertainty and death anxiety in nurses. In this context it is recommended that nurses should be evaluated in terms of the working environment and psychological needs during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Predictors of Self-Esteem in University Students: Intolerance of Uncertainty and Alexithymia

Self-esteem is characterized by self-evaluation and affects the social, emotional, and academic aspects of life. In this respect, high self-esteem is important for human mental health. This research aimed to determine university students' intolerance of uncertainty and alexithymia levels to predict their self-esteem. The research group comprised 365 undergraduate students. The data were collected using the “Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSE)," "Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS)," and “Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)." The analysis results of this study, in which the predictive correlational design was employed, revealed that self-esteem decreased as the level of alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty increased. Besides, alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty were significant predictors of self-esteem. It is hypothesized that interventions to increase self-esteem will reduce levels of alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty. The integration of findings regarding alexithymia and intolerance of uncertainty, which are more common in clinical samples, into education will improve academic achievement and welfare.

Mental health and health behaviors of parents of survivors of childhood cancer in the early COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the role of intolerance of uncertainty

Abstract 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.

[Effect of Intolerance of Uncertainty on Fear of Childbirth in Primiparas : A Moderated Mediating Model].

To explore the mediating effect of childbirth self-efficacy on the impact pathway of intolerance of uncertainty on the fear of childbirth in primiparas in the second and third trimesters and the potential moderating effect of perceived partner responsiveness. A total of 429 primiparas in their second and third trimesters completed the survey, which included general information questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory, Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale, and Childbirth Attitudes Questionnaire. Rank sum test was used to compare the scores for the fear of childbirth among different groups and Spearman's correlation was used to analyze the scores for all the scales. In addition, the data were centrally processed by using PROCESS V3.4.1 Model 4 (a simple mediation model), Model 5 (the direct path of the mediation model was regulated), and non-parametric Bootstrap method to test the mediation effect and moderation effect. The study showed that 54.31% of the participants experienced fear of childbirth. Their scores for intolerance of uncertainty, childbirth self-efficacy, and perceived partner responsiveness were 15.00 (8.00), 240.00 (75.00), and 72.00 (19.00), respectively. There were significant differences in the scores for the fear of childbirth scale among pregnant women of different age groups, gestational weeks, employment statuses, and average per capita monthly income of the family ( P<0.05). According to our findings, intolerance of uncertainty directly and positively impacted on fear of childbirth ( β=0.76, P<0.001), with childbirth self-efficacy playing partial mediation role between them, its indirect effect being 0.05 and the contribution rate being 6.17%. In addition, after the scores of Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale were added to the model, perceived partner responsiveness had no significant predictive effect for fear of childbirth, but the product term of the scores for Perceived Partner Responsiveness Scale and Intolerability Uncertainty Scale had significant predictive effect for fear of childbirth ( β=0.01, P<0.05), which suggested that perceived partner responsiveness also played a moderating role between intolerance of uncertainty and fear of childbirth. Health care providers can help primiparas reduce fear of childbirth and improve their childbirth experience by reducing perceived intolerance of uncertainty, improving family support, and teaching coping strategies.

Eating disorder symptoms and control-seeking behavior.

Eating disorders (EDs) are a heterogenous group of disorders characterized by disturbed eating patterns. Links have been made between ED symptoms and control-seeking behaviors, which may cause relief from distress. However, whether direct behavioral measures of control-seeking behavior correlate with ED symptoms has not been directly tested. Additionally, existing paradigms may conflate control-seeking behavior with uncertainty-reducing behavior. A general population sample of 183 participants completed part in an online behavioral task, in which participants rolled a die in order to obtain/avoid a set of numbers. Prior to each roll, participants could choose to change arbitrary features of the task (such as the color of their die) or view additional information (such as the current trial number). Selecting these Control Options could cost participants points or not (Cost/No-Cost conditions). Each participant completed all four conditions, each with 15 trials, followed by a series of questionnaires, including the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and the Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory-Revised (OCI-R). A Spearman's rank test indicated no significant correlation between total EAT-26 score and total number of Control Options selected, with only elevated scores on a measure of obsessions and compulsivity (OCI-R) correlating with the total number of Control Options selected (rs =.155, p=.036). In our novel paradigm, we find no relationship between EAT-26 score and control-seeking. However, we do find some evidence that this behavior may be present in other disorders that often coincide with ED diagnosis, which may indicate that transdiagnostic factors such as compulsivity are important to control-seeking.

Intolerance of Uncertainty and Cognition in Breast Cancer Survivors: The Mediating Role of Anxiety.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is one of the most prevalent symptoms that breast cancer survivors experience. While cancer treatments are established contributors to CRCI, inter-individual differences in CRCI are not well understood. Individual differences in sensitivity to uncertainty are potential contributors to CRCI; however, no prior studies have attempted to examine this link in the context of breast cancer. To address the gap, we used preliminary findings from an ongoing cross-sectional study. A total of 38 women with stage I-III breast cancer (1-4 years post-treatment) were included in this study. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) was assessed using the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Self-reported cognitive function was assessed with the Neuro-QoL questionnaire. Anxiety was assessed using the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement System Bank. From this study, we found that anxiety mediates the association between IU and cognitive function of survivors. In other words, among post-menopausal breast cancer survivors, those with higher IU showed higher anxiety and consequently had lower cognitive function. This finding suggests that assessing IU may help predict the risk of CRCI. This study expands the current knowledge that addresses the importance of IU as a factor associated with cognitive health.

The Roles of Academic Self-Efficacy and Intolerance of Uncertainty on Decisional Procrastination in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Decisional procrastination has been one of the main phenomena analysed in university students, together with self-efficacy, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined the roles of academic self-efficacy and intolerance of uncertainty on decisional procrastination in 318 Italian university students. Furthermore, the mediating role of the intolerance of uncertainty on the relationships between academic self-efficacy and decisional procrastination was explored. The Academic Self-Efficacy Scale, the Decisional Procrastination Scale, and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale were used. Results: Decisional procrastination was predicted by the components of academic self-efficacy and the intolerance of uncertainty (prospective and inhibitory intolerance). Furthermore, the mediating role of the prospective intolerance of uncertainty was confirmed in the relationship between self-efficacy (self-engagement and self-oriented decision-making) and decisional procrastination. Conclusions: This study adds new evidence to findings in the analysis of the role of the intolerance of uncertainty in mitigating the relationships between the self-efficacy of students in the academic context and their tendency to procrastinate in decision-making processes, which has been poorly investigated to date by scholars in this research field. Future research will deal with a specific situation of procrastinating behaviours, such as the completion of a master’s thesis or the respect for the deadline of an article’s submission.

The effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on the intolerance of uncertainty and the difficulty of emotion regulation in people suffering from comorbid depression and anxiety

Introduction: Patients with depression and comorbid anxiety experience more complicated and higher levels of psychological harm than the ones without comorbidity. Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of emotional schema therapy on the intolerance of uncertainty and the difficulty of emotion regulation in people suffering from comorbid depression and anxiety. Method: This study was a quasi-experimental research, applying a pre-test and post-test control group design. After interviewing a group of patients with depression and comorbid anxiety who attended counseling centers in Isfahan in 2019, 32 women participants were chosen. Then they were randomly assigned to two groups, including an experimental group and a control group. Each group consisted of 16 participants. The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (1994) and the Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale (2004) were used as the instruments of the study. The experimental group went through emotional schema therapy, which lasted for ten 90-minute sessions. The data analysis was performed through repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test, using SPSS-22. Results: The results of the study indicated that emotional schema therapy had a significant effect on uncertainty intolerance and emotion regulation difficulty in both intra- and inter-group status (P&lt;0.01). The effect of this intervention lasted until the follow-up session. The effect size for uncertainty intolerance and emotion regulation difficulty were 0.324 and 0.430 respectively (P&lt;0.01). Conclusion: Emotional schema therapy as a unified treatment can improve trans-diagnostic factors of depression and comorbid anxiety. If proven in various studies in terms of applicability, this intervention can be pioneering in the treatment of depression and comorbid anxiety.