Intolerance of uncertainty and difficulties in emotion regulation: Proposal for an integrative model of generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract Introduction The Intolerance of Uncertainty Model (IUM) is a well-tested model of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Objective To test an extension of the IUM that suggests that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) contributes to worry not only by leading to a negative problem orientation, but also by leading to a negative emotion orientation. Method A total of two hundred and four non-clinical participants completed self-report measures. A structural equation model, which integrates the double role of negative orientation, was tested. Results The proposed model represents well the relationships between IU, negative problem orientation, limited access to emotion regulation strategies, and worry. Conclusion These preliminary results support the importance to study the relationships between IU and emotion regulation, and the need to develop an integrative theory of worry and GAD.