Protocol - Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)
- Anxiety Disorders Screener - Adult
- Depression Screener - Adults
- Insomnia
- Personality Traits
- Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale
- Sleep Disorders Screener
- Sleep Disorders Screener - Children
- Temperament - Adolescent
- Temperament - Adult
- Temperament - Child
- Temperament - Early Childhood
- Temperament - Infant
- Yale-Brown-Cornell Eating Disorder Scale (YBC-EDS)
Description
The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) includes 27 items relating to the idea that uncertainty is unacceptable, reflects badly on a person, and leads to frustration, stress, and the inability to take action. Participants rate items on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 = "not at all characteristic of me" to 5 = "entirely characteristic of me." The protocol includes scoring instructions.
Specific Instructions
None
Availability
Protocol
Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)
You will find below a series of statements which describe how people may react to the uncertainties of life. Please use the scale below to describe to what extent each item is characteristic of you. Please circle a number (1 to 5) that describes you best.
| Not at all characteristic of me | Somewhat characteristic of me | Entirely characteristic of me | |||
| 1. Uncertainty stops me from having a firm opinion. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 2. Being uncertain means that a person is disorganized. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 3. Uncertainty makes life intolerable. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 4. It’s unfair not having any guarantees in life. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 5. My mind can’t be relaxed if I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6. Uncertainty makes me uneasy, anxious, or stressed. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 7. Unforeseen events upset me greatly.. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 8. It frustrates me not having all the information I need. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 9. Uncertainty keeps me from living a full life. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 10. One should always look ahead so as to avoid surprises. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 11. A small unforeseen event can spoil everything, even with the best of planning. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 12. When it’s time to act, uncertainty paralyses me. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 13. Being uncertain means that I am not first rate. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 14. When I am uncertain, I can’t go forward. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 15. When I am uncertain I can’t function very well. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 16. Unlike me, others always seem to know where they are going with their lives. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 17. Uncertainty makes me vulnerable, unhappy, or sad. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 18. I always want to know what the future has in store for me.. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 19. I can’t stand being taken by surprise. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 20. The smallest doubt can stop me from acting. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 21. I should be able to organize everything in advance. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 22. Being uncertain means that I lack confidence. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 23. I think it’s unfair that other people seem sure about their future. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 24. Uncertainty keeps me from sleeping soundly. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 25. I must get away from all uncertain situations. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 26. The ambiguities in life stress me. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 27. I can’t stand being undecided about my future. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Scoring Instructions The IUS may be used as a unifactorial or a bifactorial assessment tool. To score the IUS as a unifactorial tool, add up the responses for each of the items. As a bifactorial tool, the IUS is used to assess the following two factors:
Factor 1: Uncertainty has negative behavioural and self-referent implications Factor 2: Uncertainty is unfair and spoils everything
To score Factor 1, add up the responses for items 1, 2, 3, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 22, 23, 24, and 25
To score Factor 2, add up the responses for items 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 18, 19, 21, 26, and 27
Personnel and Training Required
None
Equipment Needs
None
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Self-administered questionnaire
Lifestage
Adolescent, Adult
Participants
Adolescents and adults
Selection Rationale
The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) is a brief, widely used, reliable, and valid self-administered scale that is easy to administer, score, and interpret.
Language
English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Anxiety | HP:0000739 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Abnormal fear/anxiety-related behavior | HP:0100852 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Abnormal eating behavior | HP:0100738 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Anorexia | HP:0002039 | HPO |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Bulimia | HP:0100739 | HPO |
| caDSR Form | PhenX PX650701 - Intolerance Of Uncertainty Scale Ius | 6235839 | caDSR Form |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not applicable.
Protocol Name from Source
The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS)
Source
Buhr, K., & Dugas, M. K. (2002). The intolerance of uncertainty scale: Psychometric properties of the English version. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 40, 931-945.
General References
Einstein, D. A. (2014). Extension of the transdiagnostic model to focus on intolerance of uncertainty: A review of the literature and implications for treatment. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice, 21, 280-300.
Sexton, K. A., & Dugas, M. J. (2009). Defining distinct negative beliefs about uncertainty: Validating the factor structure of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Psychological Assessment, 21, 176-186.
Protocol ID
650701
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Ambiguities_Stress | ||||
| PX650701260000 | The ambiguities in life stress me | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Anxious_Undecided_Future | ||||
| PX650701270000 | I can't stand being undecided about my future | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Cant_Stand_Surprise | ||||
| PX650701190000 | I can't stand being taken by surprise | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Frustration_Incomplete_Information | ||||
| PX650701080000 | It frustrates me not having all the more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_GetAway_Uncertain_Situations | ||||
| PX650701250000 | I must get away from all uncertain situations | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Know_TheFuture | ||||
| PX650701180000 | I always want to know what the future has in more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Living_Full_Life | ||||
| PX650701090000 | Uncertainty keeps me from living a full life | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_LookAhead_Avoid_Surprises | ||||
| PX650701100000 | One should always look ahead so as to avoid more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Makes_Life_Tolerable | ||||
| PX650701030000 | Uncertainty makes life intolerable | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Means_Disorganization | ||||
| PX650701020000 | Being uncertain means that a person is more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Mind_Cant_Relax | ||||
| PX650701050000 | My mind can't be relaxed if I don't know more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Organize_In_Advance | ||||
| PX650701210000 | I should be able to organize everything in advance | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Others_SeemTo_Know | ||||
| PX650701160000 | Unlike me, others always seem to know where more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Prevents_FirmOpinion | ||||
| PX650701010000 | Uncertainty stops me from having a firm opinion | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Smallest_Doubt_Stop | ||||
| PX650701200000 | The smallest doubt can stop me from acting | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertainty_Paralysis | ||||
| PX650701120000 | When it's time to act, uncertainty paralyses me | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertainty_Sleep_Soundly | ||||
| PX650701240000 | Uncertainty keeps me from sleeping soundly | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_Cant_GoForward | ||||
| PX650701140000 | When I am uncertain, I can't go forward | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_Lack_Confidence | ||||
| PX650701220000 | Being uncertain means that I lack confidence | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_NotFunction_Well | ||||
| PX650701150000 | When I am uncertain I can't function very well | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uncertain_Not_FirstRate | ||||
| PX650701130000 | Being uncertain means that I am not first rate | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Uneasy_Anxious_Stressed | ||||
| PX650701060000 | Uncertainty makes me uneasy, anxious, or stressed | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Unfair_NoGuarantees | ||||
| PX650701040000 | It's unfair not having any guarantees in life | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Unfair_Others_KnowFuture | ||||
| PX650701230000 | I think it's unfair that other people seem more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_UnforeseenEvents_Spoil_Everything | ||||
| PX650701110000 | A small unforeseen event can spoil more | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_UnforeseenEvents_Upsetting | ||||
| PX650701070000 | Unforeseen events upset me greatly | N/A | ||
| PX650701_IntoleranceOfUncertainty_Scale_Vulnerable_Unhappy_Sad | ||||
| PX650701170000 | Uncertainty makes me vulnerable, unhappy, or sad | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Intolerance of Uncertainty
Release Date
August 7, 2015
Definition
A questionnaire to measure intolerance of uncertainty, an excessive tendency to consider it unacceptable for a negative event to occur.
Purpose
Intolerance of uncertainty is associated with the etiology and maintenance of worry and certain psychiatric disorders, including eating disorders, anxiety disorders, depression, and obsessive compulsive disorders. Intolerance of uncertainty may also contribute to negative affect and lack of resilience.
Keywords
Eating disorders, intolerance of uncertainty, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, IUS, worry, anxiety, stress, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorders, uncertainty, inability to act, negative affect
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 650701 | Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) |
Publications
There are no publications listed for this protocol.