Is Anxiety Linked to Uncertainty?

Check out this answer from Consensus:

The research consistently shows that uncertainty and intolerance of uncertainty are closely linked to anxiety. Higher levels of IU contribute significantly to anxiety and worry across various populations and contexts. Addressing IU in therapeutic interventions could be beneficial in managing anxiety disorders.

The relationship between anxiety and uncertainty has been a significant focus in psychological and neurobiological research. Understanding how uncertainty contributes to anxiety can help in developing better diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for anxiety disorders.

Key Insights

• Uncertainty and Anxiety Link:
  • Uncertainty about future threats disrupts our ability to avoid or mitigate negative impacts, leading to anxiety1.
  • Both neurotypical and autistic populations show a strong association between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and anxiety, suggesting IU as a potential target for anxiety interventions2.
• Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) and Anxiety:
  • IU is a significant cognitive vulnerability factor for anxiety and related symptoms, with higher IU levels leading to increased anxiety and worry3 4 5.
  • Experimental manipulations increasing IU result in higher levels of worry, supporting the causal role of IU in anxiety4 5.
• Physiological and Behavioral Responses to Uncertainty:
  • Uncertainty, especially temporal uncertainty, elicits stronger physiological anxiety responses, such as increased startle reflexes, compared to certain threats7.
  • Anxious individuals under stress learn faster from negative outcomes, indicating altered learning processes under uncertainty6.
• Specific Populations and Contexts:
  • In men undergoing active surveillance for prostate cancer, higher IU scores are significantly associated with both generalized and cancer-specific anxiety8.
  • In children and adolescents, IU accounts for a substantial variance in anxiety and worry, indicating its relevance across different age groups9.
• Comparative Analysis of IU Across Disorders:
  • IU is more strongly related to generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) than to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), although it is a common factor across these conditions10.

Is anxiety linked to uncertainty?

Sherman Lee has answered Likely

An expert from Christopher Newport University in Psychology

Yes, but it is the looming threat of harm (e.g., physical; interpersonal; spiritual; financial) behind the unknown that drives anxiety (Ekman, 2003). Another important component to this is a sense of uncontrollability that makes the uncertainty feel even more threatening and anxiety inducing (Barlow, 1991). 

References

Barlow, D. H. (1991). Disorders of emotion. Psychological Inquiry, 2(1), 58–71. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327965p li020115

Ekman, P. (2003). Emotions revealed: Recognizing faces and feelings to improve communication and emotional life (2nd ed.). Owl Books.