Introduction & Theoretical Background
Intolerance of uncertainty can be viewed as a dispositional characteristic that results from a set of negative beliefs about uncertainty and its implications. (Dugas & Robichaud, 2007)
Intolerance of uncertainty involves the tendency to react negatively on an emotional, cognitive, and behavioral level to uncertain situations and events. (Dugas, Buhr, & Ladouceur, 2004)
Uncertainty is a normal part of life – we can never be 100% sure about what will happen next. Many people feel good about uncertainty and live lives where they seek excitement: they often score highly on personality measures of ‘openness to experience’. Other people find uncertainty aversive, stressful, or distressing, and don’t function as well in uncertain situations. They might hold negative beliefs about uncertainty and may try to avoid it, or use strategies to try to control or eliminate it. Psychologists label these reactions as ‘intolerance of uncertainty’. Commonly-used metaphors are that people who are intolerant of