Difficulties in emotional regulation and intolerance of uncertainty in university students

The aim of the study was to determine if the difficulties that people may experience to regulate their negative emotions have an effect on intolerance of uncertainty (the ability to tolerate the distress associated with uncertain stimuli). To do this, the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale were applied to 152 Argentine university students. Multiple linear regression analyzes were performed, uncertainty intolerance being the dependent variable. The emotional regulation difficulties that were predictors were nonacceptance of emotional responses, difficulties engaging in goal-directed behavior and limited access to emotion regulation strategies. Finally, results showed a relationship between both variables, indicating that the greater the difficulties that the person experiences to effectively regulate negative emotions, the greater the levels of intolerance of uncertainty. This study has clinical implications, especially for the university population.