The Effect of Everyday Safety Behavior on Intolerance of Uncertainty and Indecisiveness

Abstract: Background: Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is a transdiagnostic risk factor. IU-related safety behaviors (IUSB) may reinforce IU and associated constructs such as indecisiveness. Objective: Two experiments tested whether increasing IUSB would lead to higher increases in IU and more indecisiveness. Method: In Study 1 ( N = 99), participants either engaged in more IUSB for 1 week (Increase condition) or merely reported their IUSB (control condition). Study 2 ( N = 147) replicated the procedure, but with a decreased IUSB condition. The effect on IU and indecisiveness was assessed. Results: Regarding preregistered analyses, the hypotheses were not supported. Changes in IU were independent of condition. Indecisiveness was unaffected by the manipulation. However, exploratory mediation analyses suggested that the Increase condition resulted in more IU indirectly through measured IUSB. Conclusion: The findings provide preliminary evidence of a causal link between IUSB and IU. If the findings can be replicated, they may have implications for IU-centered interventions.