Mediating role of affective experiences in the link between intolerance of uncertainty and psychological adjustment problems and loneliness in emerging adults

ABSTRACT

This study examined whether positive and negative experiences mediate the association of intolerance of uncertainty with psychological adjustment problems as well as loneliness. A total of 366 undergraduate students (50.3% females; mean _age = 21.24 ± 2.96 years) completed an online survey that included measures of intolerance of uncertainty, positive experiences, negative experiences, psychological adjustment problems, and loneliness. The findings indicated that the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and psychological adjustment problems was mediated by positive and negative experiences. Similarly, the association between intolerance of uncertainty and loneliness was also mediated by positive and negative experiences. These findings suggest that emotional experiences are important in mitigating the negative effects of intolerance of uncertainty on mental health outcomes. Theoretical contributions and practical implications of the results are also discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Intolerance of uncertainty
• positive experiences
• negative experiences
• psychological adjustment problems
• loneliness

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being

Acknowledgement

We thank all participants who voluntarily contributed to this study.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [MY], upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

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

Ethical standards

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed consent

Consent was obtained from all participants included in the study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Murat Yıldırım

Dr. Murat Yıldırım, an Associate Professor of Psychology, earned his master's (MSc) and PhD degrees, as well as completed post-doctoral training at the University of Leicester, United Kingdom. He is presently associated with Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University in Turkey. Dr. Yıldırım's research focuses on investigating the contributions of positive psychological factors to enhancing well-being and mental health.

Tuğba Türk Kurtça

Tuğba Türk Kurtça is a doctor of counselling and obtained her master's degree from Marmara University in Turkey. She currently works at Trakya University and her research interests revolve around individual differences, school counselling, and family counselling.