The Role of Intolerance of Uncertainty in Treatment for Pediatric Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract

This study investigated the role of intolerance of uncertainty (IU) in an intensive group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) program with family involvement for children with anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). One hundred four children and adolescents, aged 8–19 years, who were patients in an intensive outpatient group-based treatment program and their parents participated in this intervention-based study. From both children’s and parents’ perspectives at admission, higher IU in children was associated with both higher levels of anxiety and functional impairment. Both children and parents reported significant reductions in children’s IU by discharge, and these reductions were associated with greater reductions in children’s anxiety and functional impairment. However, children who reported higher levels of IU at admission, reported fewer reductions in their anxiety and functional impairment. These findings demonstrate an association between IU and children’s anxiety and OCD intensive treatment outcomes. Those with higher levels of IU may benefit from more interventions that address tolerating uncertainty.