The influence of intolerance of uncertainty on decision making in individuals with high trait-anxiety

Abstract

Previous studies have found an influence of trait-anxiety (TA) on decision-making. However, results are inconsistent in the literature. According to the findings, intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is an inseparable feature of trait-anxiety (Carleton, 2016; Grupe & Nitschke, 2013; Hong & Cheung, 2015, Rosser, 2019) and these individuals tend to experience more anxiety in ambiguous situations (Freeston, Rhéaume, Letarte, Dugas, & Ladouceur, 1994 & Rosser, 2019). Iowa gambling task (IGT) has been designed to simulate real-life decision-making by constraining punishments and rewards in uncertain situations. The present study examined if intolerance of uncertainty influences decision-making in individuals with anxiety traits. A sample consisting of 100 participants completed the STAI-T, IUS-12 and the IGT. According to the results, a non-significant difference was found, indicating more advantageous decision-making among low IU and low TA individuals. Although, intolerance of uncertainty did not affect this relationship. Further research is needed to investigate the interaction between trait-anxiety, intolerance of uncertainty and decision-making.