Intolerance of Uncertainty and Adult Separation Anxiety

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU)—the tendency to react negatively to situations that are
uncertain—is involved in different anxiety disorders and depression. No studies have yet examined
the association between IU and symptoms of adult separation anxiety disorder. However, it is
possible that greater difficulties tolerating uncertainties that can occur in relationships with
attachment figures inflate fears and worries about the consequences of being separated from these
attachment figures. The current study examined the possible role of IU in symptoms of adult
separation anxiety disorder, relative to its role in symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD),
obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety, and depression, using self-reported data from
215 undergraduates (92% women) with elevated separation anxiety. Findings showed that IU was
significantly associated with symptom levels of separation anxiety disorder, GAD, OCD, social
anxiety, and depression (rs. :30). IU continued to explain variance in OCD, social anxiety, and
depression (but not GAD and separation anxiety) when controlling for the association of
neuroticism, attachment anxiety, and attachment avoidance with these symptoms. Additional
findings indicated that IU is more strongly associated with symptoms of GAD, OCD, and social
anxiety than symptoms of adult separation anxiety disorder and depression. Key words: intolerance of
uncertainty; adult separation anxiety disorder; anxiety; depression.