title: Interpretation bias for uncertain threat: A replication and extension.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been proposed as an important transdiagnostic variable within various anxiety-related disorders. Research has suggested that individuals high in IU may interpret ambiguous information in a more threatening manner, suggesting a negative interpretation bias for uncertain information. However, interpretation biases within IU have not been adequately tested in the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study evaluated negative interpretation biases for uncertain information by directly measuring an individual's interpretations of ambiguous information across two samples. Participants consisted of 76 (Study 1; 72.4% female) and 31 (Study 2; 81% female) undergraduate students.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated that individuals high in IU interpret ambiguous scenarios as more threatening compared to negative and/or positive scenarios (β = .45, p = .02). In addition, individuals high in IU showed a negative interpretation bias for ambiguous information, but not benign information (Study 1: β = -.40, p < .001; Study 2: β = -.57, p = .002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future research should attempt to replicate these findings within clinical populations. In addition, future work would benefit from the inclusion of behavioral assessments of IU.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings are the first to detect the presence of a negative interpretation bias for uncertain information among individuals high in IU utilizing a task designed to directly measure an individual's interpretation of information. Given the efficacy and low economic burden associated with interpretation bias modification protocols, and the transdiagnostic nature of IU, targeting IU within these protocols could have a tremendous public health impact.
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Mary E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Oglesby
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Raines
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA.
authors.forename: Nicole A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Short
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Dr, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Capron
authors.affiliation: Florida State University, 600 W College Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA. Electronic address: schmidt@psy.fsu.edu.
authors.forename: Norman B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001007:Anxiety / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D015982:Bias; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035501:Uncertainty; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Anxiety disorders; Cognitive bias; Interpretation bias; Intolerance of uncertainty; Vulnerability factors