The Moderating Effect of Social Support on the Effect of University Students' Intolerance of Uncertainty on Worry

The objective of this study is to examine the moderating role of social support in the relationship between the intolerance of uncertainty and worry among university students. To achieve this, an online survey was administered to university students nationwide. A total of 216 valid responses were subjected to statistical analysis, including descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and correlation analysis for each variable, using SPSS 23.0. The moderating effect was assessed using Process Macro for SPSS V3.5 Model 1. The findings indicate that university students' intolerance of uncertainty positively influences worry, while social support negatively impacts worry. Furthermore, social support was found to moderate the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and worry, with informational support, a sub-variable of social support, exerting a moderating effect. The significance of this research lies in confirming that social support is a crucial moderating variable in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty, worry, and social support among university students. By identifying key variables affecting the anxiety levels of college students, this study provides foundational data for effective interventions targeting students with high worry levels. Additionally, it offers implications for the development of counseling, educational, and policy programs aimed at reducing worry levels related to intolerance of uncertainty, and enhancing social support among university students.