Abstract:
This study aimed to assess the validity of the online version of the Chinese Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (CIUS-O) in measuring intolerance of uncertainty (IU) among Chinese individuals. IU refers to the tendency to perceive uncertain situations as threatening and to engage in excessive worry and avoidance behaviors. The original CIUS, a widely used self-report instrument, has been effectively utilized in research and clinical settings. However, its administration has typically required in-person or paper-and-pencil assessments. The development of the CIUS-O provides a convenient and accessible online alternative.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 350 Chinese adults recruited through an online platform. Participants completed the CIUS-O along with several other measures, including the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7) scale, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) depression scale, and the Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (MPS).
Results:
The CIUS-O demonstrated good internal consistency reliability, with Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.89. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the one-factor structure of the scale. Convergent validity was established through significant positive correlations between the CIUS-O and the GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores, indicating that higher IU was associated with increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. Discriminant validity was supported by the significant negative correlations between the CIUS-O and perfectionism dimensions of "self-oriented perfectionism" and "concern over mistakes," suggesting that higher IU was associated with lower levels of perfectionism characterized by excessive striving and self-criticism.
Conclusion:
The findings provide evidence for the validity of the CIUS-O as a reliable and valid instrument for assessing IU in Chinese individuals. The online format of the CIUS-O offers advantages in terms of convenience, accessibility, and potential for wider research and clinical applications. Further studies are needed to explore the psychometric properties of the CIUS-O in different populations and contexts.
