Abstract
Introduction: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) can be defined as a cognitive bias that affect show a person perceives, interprets, and responds to uncertain situations, which has been relatedto worry and anxiety symptoms, rumination, and depression. The aim of the present study was to compare the IU in patients with generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder and normal individuals and that relate with worry and rumination in a clinical sample.
Materials and Methods: The present study was a cross-sectional and ex-post facto investigation.Statistical universe constituted all patients had been referred the first to the Bozorgmehr clinic in Tabriz in 2011. In this study, 32 client with generalized anxiety disorder, 32 with major depressive disorder and 32 normal individuals were selected as a convenience sample. The groups were matched in demographic characteristics with each other. The subjects completed IU scale, Pennsylvania State Worry Questionnaire, and ruminative response scale. The gathered data was analyzed using SPSS-17 and descriptive statistic index and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) and Pearson correlation analysis.
Results: The result showed that there wasno significant difference in IU between two groups with generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder (P=0.77). But, there was significant difference in worry of people with generalized anxiety compared with major depressive disorder (P=0.012). There was significant difference in rumination of people with major depressive compared with generalized anxiety disorder too (P=0.025). IU is related to worry (r=0.71) and rumination (r=0.58).
Conclusion: IU is not a special factor for generalized anxiety disorder. It also plays a role in onset and maintenance of major depressive disorder