Intolerance of uncertainty over COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on anxiety and depressive symptoms

DEL VALLE, MACARENA; ANDRÉS MARÍA LAURA; URQUIJO, SEBASTIÁN; YERRO, MATÍAS; LÓPEZ MORALES, HERNÁN; CANET JURIC, LORENA

REVISTA INTERAMERICANA DE PSICOLOGíA

REVISTA INTERAMERICANA DE PSICOLOGIA, INC.

Lugar: New York; Año: 2020 vol. 54

0034-9690

The COVID 19 pandemic represents an unprecedented uncertain situation. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of intolerance of uncertainty over COVID 19 pandemic on anxiety and depressive symptoms during quarantine. The study was conducted with 3 805 Argentinean participants, who filled the Beck Depression Inventory, the State Trait Anxiety Inventory, and a modified version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Regression analyses indicated a significant effect of intolerance of uncertainty on a nxiety and on depressive symptoms. A minor effect of age and gender was also found. Young women with greater intolerance of uncertainty showed the highest levels of anxietyand depressive symptoms. Even though uncertainty distress is an understandable reac tion to the current situation, these psychological effects should be monitored.