The role of intolerance of uncertainty in explaining mental health symptoms among adults in Hong Kong

Abstract

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) has been reported as a transdiagnostic risk factor for a variety of mental health outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in response to an acute stressor. However, there is relatively little understanding of the impact of a population-wide long-term stressor (e.g., a pandemic) and its associated risk factors on mental health. The current study evaluated the association between IU components, post-traumatic stress symptoms, general anxiety, and depression in the context of a long-term stressor (towards the end of the COVID-19 pandemic). From October 27, 2022 to December 23, 2022, cross-sectional data were collected through a telephone survey from a sample of 3023 adults aged 18–96 (M = 57.08, SD = 19.05) who lived in Hong Kong. The results indicated that 8.8 % of the respondents were likely to have PTSD (based on the IES-R), 10.4 % depression (based on the PHQ-2), and 10 % general anxiety (based on the GAD-2). IU components were significant risk factors for experiencing more severe PTSD symptoms and general psychological distress in terms of general anxiety and depression. The results of this study highlight the important and differential roles of IU components in explaining psychological trauma and poor mental health in response to a long-term stressor.