Engaging in Risky and Impulsive Behaviors to Alleviate Distress Mediates Associations Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Externalizing Psychopathology

Despite increasing recognition that intolerance of uncertainty is a transdiagnostic dimension of psychopathology, very little research has investigated its relevance for externalizing psychopathology and related risky/impulsive behavior. Ninety-five unselected adults (ages 19-55, 53% men) recruited from the community completed a measure of intolerance of uncertainty, externalizing traits and problems, and risky/impulsive behavior. Higher levels of intolerance of uncertainty were associated with greater endorsement of externalizing symptoms (e.g., aggression, alcohol/marijuana use, problematic impulsivity) and last-month risky and impulsive behaviors. Relations between intolerance of uncertainty and externalizing symptoms/risky behaviors were mediated by a motivation to engage in these behaviors to avoid distress, but not by the motivation to experience pleasurable emotions. Findings suggest that difficulty tolerating uncertainty may confer risk for the externalizing spectrum of psychopathology by increasing the likelihood that an individual will engage in risky behaviors to alleviate distressing or unpleasant emotions.