Assessing the latent structure of the intolerance of uncertainty construct: An initial taxometric analysis

Researchers have increasingly suggested that people with anxiety disorders share a common fear that the uncertain future will be catastrophic. Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) – the tendency to consider possible negative events as unacceptable and threatening, irrespective of probabilities – is representative of such fears. A key role has been indicated for IU in several anxiety and mood disorders; however, the present study appears to be the first latent structure examination of IU. Responses were obtained from a large sample (n = 977; 65% women) unselected with regard to IU level, comprising anxiety disorder outpatients (i.e., putative taxon members), and community residents (i.e., putative complement class members). MAXEIG, MAMBAC, and L-Mode were performed with indicator sets drawn from the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12. Assessments also included objective Comparison Curve Fit Indices. Results yielded converging evidence that IU symptoms have a dimensional latent structure. Comprehensive findings, implications, and future research directions are discussed.

► We contextualize intolerance of uncertainty as a vulnerability factor for anxiety.
► We present the first latent structure examination of intolerance of uncertainty.
► We provide evidence for a dimensional latent structure for intolerance of uncertainty.