Further clarifying prospective and inhibitory intolerance of uncertainty: Factorial and construct validity of test scores from the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale.

Abstract

The Intolerance to Uncertainty Scale (IUS) was developed to measure a dispositional tendency to react negatively to uncertain events, regardless of the occurrence probability of those events. Recent evidence suggests a 2-factor structure underlying the IUS; 1 factor measuring a prospective aspect (i.e., desire for predictability) and the other assessing an inhibitory aspect (i.e., uncertainty paralysis). The factorial and construct validity of the IUS test scores among undergraduate students in Singapore were examined in the present research using exploratory (n = 565) and confirmatory (n = 898) factor analyses. Results indicated that a 2-factor model was preferred over a unitary-factor model. The construct validity of the IUS (and subscale) scores was examined using a comprehensive nomological network of psychopathology and personality/affectivity variables. Differential relations were observed for the prospective and inhibitory components, providing support that the 2 subscales assessed unique aspects of the intolerance of uncertainty construct. An 18-item modified version of IUS was also proposed and its test scores had stronger validity evidence than scores from the widely used 12-item version.

The relationship between intolerance of uncertainty in chiropractic students and their treatment intervention choices

“…More recent research has suggested that measures of IU should be designed around the specific situations in which they occur [1, 2, 44]. For example the items in the IUS-12 could be altered in future studies to make them specific to the diagnosis and treatment of lower back pain to improve our capacity to understand the role of IU in low back pain care.…”

“…We chose the validated 12-question version (IUS-12) that utilises a 5-point Likert scale with responses ranging from ‘not at all characteristic of me’ to ‘entirely characteristic of me’ [1, 35–38]. Examples of questions included ‘unforeseen events upset me greatly’ and ‘the smallest doubt can stop me from acting’.…”

“…In this context, intolerance of uncertainty (IU) could be one such psychological factor. IU refers to a dispositional characteristic that reflects a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and its implications and represents an underlying fear of the unknown [1, 2]. IU has also been described as an incapacity to endure the aversive response triggered by the absence of salient, key or sufficient information [3].…”

Self-reported intolerance of uncertainty and behavioural decisions

“…Most research (e.g., (Hong & Lee, 2015) has supported two robust dimensions of IU measurement, a more immediate behaviorally focused dimension (i.e., Inhibitory IU) and a more future-oriented cognitively focused dimension (i.e., Prospective IU).…”

Intolerance of uncertainty, social support, and loneliness in relation to anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer

“…One individual difference characteristic that seems to play a significant role in mental health and well‐being is intolerance of uncertainty (IU)—the inability to tolerate the idea that negative events may occur and cannot necessarily be predicted . High levels of IU have long been identified as a vulnerability factor for anxiety and depressive symptoms . The trait can further be separated into two components—inhibitory IU, characterized by a reduced likelihood of engaging in action due to uncertainty, and prospective IU, the form of IU linked to concerns and worries about the future .…”