Confirmatory factor analysis of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (short form) in India

Abstract

Intolerance of uncertainty, generally measured through the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale - Short form (IUS-12), is a significant trans-diagnostic characteristic determining anxiety disorders and depression. Nevertheless, there are fewer studies on the factor structure of intolerance of uncertainty in non-western countries. In the present study, using confirmatory factor analysis, we studied the factor structure, measurement invariance, and psychometrics of the IUS-12 (Hindi version) on a sample of 862 college students (age: M = 21.42, SD = 3.1) in India. Results show that whereas the different models (i.e. the single-factor, the correlated two-factor, the truncated bi-factor, and the full bi-factor models) were a good fit with the data, the full bi-factor model was the best fitting model. The general factor was a stable and reliable construct that explained most of the variance and, thereby, showed the unidimensionality of the scale. In addition, there was strong measurement invariance in the IUS-12 across gender. Thus, the present study supports the reliability and validity of the IUS-12 and indicates cross-cultural validity of the intolerance of uncertainty. We have also discussed the implications of higher intolerance of uncertainty in India.

Keywords:

• Factor structure
• Hindi
• cross-cultural
• prospective intolerance of uncertainty

Acknowledgment

This study is not financed by any source. The authors acknowledge proofreading help rendered by Pavni Singh.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1 Handedness, lottery task, religiousness, and risk-taking were the other self-reported measures in this project