Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Intolerance of uncertainty is related to a variety of clinical and nonclinical concepts including clinical and nonclinical levels of worry (Buhr & Dugas, 2002) as well as several disorders, including general anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and social anxiety disorder (Einstein et al., 2014). Since it has been found to be a transdiagnostic concept, research has suggested that it could be a target of intervention (Dugas & Ladouceur, 2000). However, little research about the manipulation of uncertainty exists. This study sought to examine how manipulation of uncertainty in a vignette-based intervention alters individuals’ levels of global worry, as well as their worry about the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, this study hypothesized that this relationship would moderated by an individual’s preexisting intolerance of uncertainty. The results of this study support the idea that intolerance of uncertainty is associated with increased worry and GAD symptoms. However, the study failed to find an association between manipulation of uncertainty through a vignette-based intervention and overall levels of worry.

Year manuscript completed

2021

Year degree awarded

2021

Author's Keywords

Intolerance of uncertainty, worry, anxiety, uncertainty

Thesis Advisor

Amanda Joyce

Committee Chair

Amanda Joyce

Committee Member

Esther Malm

Committee Member

Laura Liljequist

Committee Member

Alexandra Hendley

Document Type

Thesis

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