title: Intolerance of uncertainty as a mediator of the relationship between perfectionism and obsessive-compulsive symptom severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and perfectionism have both been shown to predict severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms in populations diagnosed with OCD, as well as analogue samples. According to cognitive models of OCD, symptoms are maintained by dysfunctional beliefs including IU and perfectionism. The purpose of the current study is to extend research on the cognitive theory of OCD by describing how dysfunctional thoughts interact with each other.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an analogue sample for OCD (N = 475), undergraduate students completed measures online pertaining to IU (IU scale), perfectionism (Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale), and OCD symptoms and severity (Florida Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proposed model of IU fully mediating the relationship between perfectionism and OCD severity was supported using structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis. Bootstrapping testing within AMOS 20 and Sobel tests further corroborated full mediation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from the current study suggest that IU fully mediates the relationship between perfectionism and severity of OCD symptoms. This finding has an impact for understanding the nature and treatment of OCD with perfectionism as a primary symptom. Findings suggest that in order to address perfectionism, it is necessary to first treat cognitions and obsessions associated with IU and that this practice would lessen distress and interference associated with perfectionistic obsessions.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Anxiety, Phobia, & Internalizing Disorder Studies (LAPIS), Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA. ereuth@lsuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Erin T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Reuther
authors.forename: Thompson E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Brittany M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rudy
authors.forename: Whitney S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: Sara E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Whiting
authors.forename: Anna C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: May
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000523:psychology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CBT/cognitive behavior therapy; OCS/obsessive-compulsive disorder; anxiety/anxiety disorders; cognition; measurement/psychometrics