Linking Intolerance of Uncertainty and Death Anxiety: Evidence for Moderation by Spiritual and Religious Identity

Intolerance of uncertainty, a dispositional characteristic marked by strong aversion to the state of not knowing or having doubts, is robustly associated with a number of anxiety-related concerns– including death anxiety. However, few studies have sought to elucidate the unique association between intolerance of uncertainty and death anxiety, and potential moderators of this relationship. The present study explores these questions in a sample of 85 adults. Results indicated a moderate correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and death anxiety, which remained even when accounting for generalized anxiety. In addition, this relationship was moderated by spiritual/religious identity. These findings support the notion that intolerance of uncertainty may be a cognitive mechanism implicated in the emergence and maintenance of death anxiety in spiritual/religious individuals. Applications for clinical research and practice are discussed.