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Protocol - Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)

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Description

The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) includes 27 items relating to the idea that uncertainty is unacceptable, reflects badly on a person, and leads to frustration, stress, and the inability to take action. Participants rate items on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = "not at all characteristic of me" to 5 = "entirely characteristic of me." The protocol includes scoring instructions.

Specific Instructions

None

Availability

This protocol is freely available; permission not required for use.

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Protocol

Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)

You will find below a series of statements which describe how people may react to the uncertainties of life. Please use the scale below to describe to what extent each item is characteristic of you. Please circle a number (1 to 5) that describes you best.

Not at all characteristic of me

Somewhat characteristic of me

Entirely characteristic of me

1. Uncertainty stops me from having a firm opinion.

 1 2 3 4 5

2. Being uncertain means that a person is disorganized.

 1 2 3 4 5

3. Uncertainty makes life intolerable.

 1 2 3 4 5

4. It’s unfair not having any guarantees in life.

1 2 3 4 5

5. My mind can’t be relaxed if I don’t know what will happen tomorrow.

 1 2 3 4 5

6. Uncertainty makes me uneasy, anxious, or stressed.

 1 2 3 4 5

7. Unforeseen events upset me greatly..

1 2 3 4 5

8. It frustrates me not having all the information I need.

 1 2 3 4 5

9. Uncertainty keeps me from living a full life.

1 2 3 4 5

10. One should always look ahead so as to avoid surprises.

 1 2 3 4 5

11. A small unforeseen event can spoil everything, even with the best of planning.

1 2 3 4 5

12. When it’s time to act, uncertainty paralyses me.

1 2 3 4 5

13. Being uncertain means that I am not first rate.

1 2 3 4 5

14. When I am uncertain, I can’t go forward.

 1 2 3 4 5

15. When I am uncertain I can’t function very well.

 1 2 3 4 5

16. Unlike me, others always seem to know where they are going with their lives.

 1 2 3 4 5

17. Uncertainty makes me vulnerable, unhappy, or sad.

 1 2 3 4 5

18. I always want to know what the future has in store for me..

 1 2 3 4 5

19. I can’t stand being taken by surprise.

 1 2 3 4 5

20. The smallest doubt can stop me from acting.

 1 2 3 4 5

21. I should be able to organize everything in advance.

1 2 3 4 5

22. Being uncertain means that I lack confidence.

 1 2 3 4 5

23. I think it’s unfair that other people seem sure about their future.

1 2 3 4 5

24. Uncertainty keeps me from sleeping soundly.

 1 2 3 4 5

25. I must get away from all uncertain situations.

1 2 3 4 5

26. The ambiguities in life stress me.

 1 2 3 4 5

27. I can’t stand being undecided about my future.

1 2 3 4 5

Scoring Instructions The IUS may be used as a unifactorial or a bifactorial assessment tool. To score the IUS as a unifactorial tool, add up the responses for each of the items. As a bifactorial tool, the IUS is used to assess the following two factors:

Factor 1: Uncertainty has negative behavioural and self-referent implications Factor 2: Uncertainty is unfair and spoils everything

To score Factor 1, add up the responses for items 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, and 25

To score Factor 2, add up the responses for items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 21, 26, and 27

Personnel and Training Required

None

Equipment Needs

None

Requirements
Requirement CategoryRequired
Major equipment No
Specialized training No
Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection No
Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual No
Mode of Administration

Self-administered questionnaire

Lifestage

Adolescent, Adult

Participants

Adolescents and adults

Selection Rationale

The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) is a brief, widely used, reliable, and valid self-administered scale that is easy to administer, score, and interpret.

Language

English

Standards
StandardNameIDSource
Human Phenotype Ontology Anxiety HP:0000739 HPO
Human Phenotype Ontology Abnormal fear/anxiety-related behavior HP:0100852 HPO
Human Phenotype Ontology Abnormal eating behavior HP:0100738 HPO
Human Phenotype Ontology Anorexia HP:0002039 HPO
Human Phenotype Ontology Bulimia HP:0100739 HPO
caDSR Form PhenX PX650701 - Intolerance Of Uncertainty Scale Ius 6235839 caDSR Form
Derived Variables

None

Process and Review

Not applicable

Protocol Name from Source

The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)

Source

Buhr, K., & Dugas, M. K. (2002). The intolerance of uncertainty scale: Psychometric properties of the English version. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 931-945.

General References

Einstein, D. A. (2014). Extension of the transdiagnostic model to focus on intolerance of uncertainty: A review of the literature and implications for treatment. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice, 21, 280-300.

Sexton, K. A., & Dugas, M. J. (2009). Defining distinct negative beliefs about uncertainty: Validating the factor structure of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Psychological Assessment, 21, 176-186.

Protocol ID

650701

Variables
Export Variables
Variable Name Variable IDVariable DescriptiondbGaP Mapping
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Ambiguities_Stress
PX650701260000 The ambiguities in life stress me N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Frustration_Incomplete_Information
PX650701080000 It frustrates me not having all the more
information I need show less
N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Know_TheFuture
PX650701180000 I always want to know what the future has in more
store for me show less
N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_LookAhead_Avoid_Surprises
PX650701100000 One should always look ahead so as to avoid more
surprises show less
N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Means_Disorganization
PX650701020000 Being uncertain means that a person is more
disorganized show less
N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Others_SeemTo_Know
PX650701160000 Unlike me, others always seem to know where more
they are going with their lives show less
N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Smallest_Doubt_Stop
PX650701200000 The smallest doubt can stop me from acting N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertainty_Paralysis
PX650701120000 When it's time to act, uncertainty paralyses me N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertainty_Sleep_Soundly
PX650701240000 Uncertainty keeps me from sleeping soundly N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_Cant_GoForward
PX650701140000 When I am uncertain, I can't go forward N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_Lack_Confidence
PX650701220000 Being uncertain means that I lack confidence N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uneasy_Anxious_Stressed
PX650701060000 Uncertainty makes me uneasy, anxious, or stressed N/A
PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Unfair_NoGuarantees
PX650701040000 It's unfair not having any guarantees in life N/A
Eating Disorders
Measure Name

Intolerance of Uncertainty

Release Date

August 7, 2015

Definition

A questionnaire to measure intolerance of uncertainty, an excessive tendency to consider it unacceptable for a negative event to occur.

Purpose

Intolerance of uncertainty is associated with the etiology and maintenance of worry and certain psychiatric disorders, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Intolerance of uncertainty may also contribute to negative affect and lack of resilience.

Keywords

Eating disorders, intolerance of uncertainty, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, IUS, worry, anxiety, stress, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, uncertainty, inability to act, negative affect

Measure Protocols
Protocol ID Protocol Name
650701 Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)