Intolerance of Uncertainty in Trauma and PTSD

Juliette Bonchonsky ’26, Psychology major Zoe Rosnov ’25, Psychology major Jayden Peacock ’25, Neuroscience major Faculty mentor: Dr. Emily Gentes, Psychology Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with PTSD severity (Raines et al., 2019), even among those with subthreshold symptoms (Clauss et al., 2023). The objective of the present study was to test if there is a specific association between IU and PTSD symptoms, or if trauma exposure is also associated with elevated IU. Adults diagnosed by clinical interview with current PTSD (n=25), history of trauma without PTSD symptoms (n=28), and no trauma history (n=48) were given the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. IU was elevated in those with PTSD relative to the other two groups F(2,98)=5.81, p=.004). There were no significant differences in IU between those with no trauma history and those with history of trauma without PTSD symptoms. Clinician-rated PTSD severity was positively correlated with IU (r=.28, p< .001). Results suggest IU may be specifically related to PTSD and suggest IU as a potential mechanism for understanding symptoms following a trauma. Future prospective research should explore if IU is a consequence of PTSD symptoms, or if it predates the trauma, potentially increasing risk for PTSD (e.g., Oglesby et al., 2016).