Intolerance of Uncertainty as a Mediator on the Relationship Between Adult Attachment and PTSD

Abstract

Established evidence suggests that intolerance of uncertainty (IU) is associated with both adult attachment and traumatic stress, yet the role of IU as an underlying mechanism between attachment and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is to be explained. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of IU in the relationship between adult attachment styles and PTSD. A cross-sectional study with 335 university students was conducted in Turkiye. Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5), The Experiences in Close Relationships Revised (ECR-R) Questionnaire, The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IU) and PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5) were used to measure potential traumatic events (PTE), adult attachment styles, intolerance of uncertainty and PTSD, respectively. Results revealed that IU mediated the relationship between anxious and avoidant attachment and PTSD. The results offer a valuable understanding of the intricate interplay between attachment styles and PTSD, shedding light on the underlying factors that contribute to the emergence and persistence of PTSD symptoms. For those who have experienced trauma and show anxious or avoidant attachment patterns, combining strategies to address intolerance of uncertainty with attachment-oriented therapies could have beneficial effects on conditions like PTSD, which are often passed down between generations.