Intolerance of uncertainty in parents of childhood cancer survivors: A clinical profile analysis.

PURPOSE: This research aimed to investigate the psychological adjustment related to the risk factor of intolerance of uncertainty in parents of childhood cancer survivors.

DESIGN

Participants were mothers (N = 45) and fathers (N = 16) of a childhood cancer survivor (from 4 until 6 years of cancer remission). Parents completed measures of intolerance of uncertainty and its associated factors (positive beliefs about worry, cognitive avoidance, rumination, and problem solving), measures of psychological distress (anxiety, depression somatization, and worries), and performed two Stroop tasks.

FINDINGS: A substantial subgroup of parents reported clinical levels of psychological distress and 64% reported a significant level of intolerance of uncertainty. Parents presented a high profile for intolerance of uncertainty (generalized anxiety disorder [GAD] profile) were those who had a high level of distress associated with ineffective psychological adjustment.

CONCLUSION

The data are supportive of brief intervention to reduce intolerance of uncertainty. Sensitizing health care professionals to the identification of intolerance of uncertainty and its associated factors is essential for efficient intervention strategies.