Coping with existential anxiety: How resilience, intolerance of uncertainty, and cognitive-emotion regulation shape mental health outcomes.

BACKGROUND

Existential anxiety (EA) is a transdiagnostic construct increasingly recognized for its role in the development of depression and anxiety. Despite its relevance, most research has focused only on a subset of EA and largely neglected the role of malleable moderating factors that could be addressed via psychotherapeutic practices, such as cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, psychological resilience, and intolerance of uncertainty (IU), which are explored in the present study.

METHODS

Slovenian young adults (N = 330; M = 21.20 years, SD = 1.85; 63.3% female) participated in an online survey.

RESULTS

EA significantly predicted depression and anxiety. Psychological resilience buffered, while IU amplified the relationship between EA and both outcomes. Maladaptive CER strategies moderated the relationship between EA and general anxiety, whereas adaptive CER strategies did not moderate any investigated relationship. Specific CER strategies also showed differential effects: catastrophizing amplified the relationship for both outcomes while refocusing on planning buffered the relationship between EA and depression.

CONCLUSIONS

EA is associated with depression and general anxiety in young adults. While psychological resilience can mitigate these associations, IU and (certain) maladaptive CER strategies can intensify them. Findings suggest promising targets for therapeutic interventions to alleviate existential distress and improve emotional well-being.