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01-12-2021 | Generalized Anxiety Disorder | Research

The relations between different components of intolerance of uncertainty and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder: a network analysis

Authors: Lei Ren, Zihan Wei, Ye Li, Long-Biao Cui, Yifei Wang, Lin Wu, Xinyi Wei, Jiaxi Peng, Kuiliang Li, Yinchuan Jin, Fengzhan Li, Qun Yang, Xufeng Liu

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2021

Abstract

Background

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is considered as a specific risk factor in the development and maintenance of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Yet, researches have investigated the relations between IU and GAD (or worry) using total scores on self-report measures. This ignores that there are different components exist in IU and the heterogeneity of GAD symptoms. In the present study, we explored the relations among different components of IU and symptoms of GAD.

Methods

A dimensional approach which take individual differences into consideration in different components of IU along a full range of normal to abnormal symptom severity levels of GAD were used in this study. Components of IU were measured by 12-item Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale and symptoms of GAD were measured by Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Questionnaire. Regularized partial-correlation network was estimated using cross-sectional data from 624 university students.

Results

Four strongest edges are between components of IU, like “Unforeseen events upset me greatly” and “It frustrates me not having all the information I need”. Two strongest edges are between symptoms of GAD, like “Being so restless that it is hard to sit still” and “Feeling afraid as if something awful might happen”. Symptom “Worrying too much about different things” and component “It frustrates me not having all the information I need” have the highest expected influences in the present network. In the community of IU, component “It frustrates me not having all the information I need” has the highest bridge expected influence. And in the community of GAD, symptoms “Worrying too much about different things” and “Not being able to stop or control worrying” have the highest bridge expected influence.

Conclusions

This study reveals potential pathways between different components of IU and various symptoms of GAD. Understanding how putative risk factors such as different components of IU are related to symptoms of GAD may provide some references for related preventions and interventions, such as targeting component “It frustrates me not having all the information I need” may be more effective at reducing symptoms of GAD than targeting other components of IU.

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Title: The relations between different components of intolerance of uncertainty and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder: a network analysis
Authors: Lei Ren
Zihan Wei
Ye Li
Long-Biao Cui
Yifei Wang
Lin Wu
Xinyi Wei
Jiaxi Peng
Kuiliang Li
Yinchuan Jin
Fengzhan Li
Qun Yang
Xufeng Liu
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keyword: Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Published in: BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-021-03455-0

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

The relations between different components of intolerance of uncertainty and symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder: a network analysis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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