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Brief Report: Intolerance of Uncertainty, Worry, and Depression

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Abstract

This study examined the strength and specificity of the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and worry with regards to depression in a nonclinical sample. The hypotheses were the following: (1) IU would be more highly and specifically related to worry than to depression; and (2) worry would be more highly and specifically related to IU than to dysfunctional attitudes (a cognitive process involved in depression). Two-hundred and forty (240) undergraduate students completed self-report questionnaires that assessed worry, intolerance of uncertainty, depression, and dysfunctional attitudes. Both hypotheses were confirmed: IU was more highly (although not significantly) and specifically related to worry than to depression; and worry was more highly and specifically related to IU than to dysfunctional attitudes. The findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical and clinical implications.

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Correspondence to Michel J. Dugas.

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Dugas, M.J., Schwartz, A. & Francis, K. Brief Report: Intolerance of Uncertainty, Worry, and Depression. Cogn Ther Res 28, 835–842 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-004-0669-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10608-004-0669-0

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