Developing scales measuring disorder-specific intolerance of uncertainty (DSIU): a new perspective on transdiagnostic.
Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a construct of growing prominence in literature on anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. Existing measures of IU do not define the uncertainty that respondents perceive as distressing. To address this limitation, we developed eight scales measuring disorder-specific intolerance of uncertainty (DSIU) relating to various anxiety disorders and major depressive disorder. We used exploratory factor analysis and item characteristic curves in two large undergraduate samples (Ns=627 and 628) to derive eight three-item DSIU scales (24 items total) that exhibited excellent psychometric properties. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the factor structures of the scales and the transdiagnostic nature of IU. Each scale predicted unique variance in its respective symptom measure beyond a traditional measure of IU. DSIU represents a theoretically proximal and causal intermediary between known vulnerability factors and disorder symptomatology. The DSIU scales can be used to advance theories of psychopathology and inform case conceptualization and treatment planning.
Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Michel A
MA
Thibodeau
Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
R Nicholas
RN
Carleton
School of Psychology and Speech Pathology, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
Peter M
PM
McEvoy
Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Texas, USA; MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Texas, USA.
Michael J
MJ
Zvolensky
Department of Psychology, University of Houston, Texas, USA.
Charles P
CP
Brandt
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Paul A
PA
Boelen
Clinical Research Unit for Anxiety and Depression, University of New South Wales at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia.
Alison E J
AE
Mahoney
Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Brett J
BJ
Deacon
Department of Psychology, University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. Electronic address: gordon.asmundson@uregina.ca.
Gordon J G
GJ
Asmundson
D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology; D035501:Uncertainty; D055815:Young Adult
Anxiety disorders; Depression; Intolerance of uncertainty; Item response theory; Measurement; Psychometrics