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Understanding adolescent worry: the application of a cognitive model
Nina Laugesen1, Michel J Dugas, William M Bukowski
1Centre for Research in Human Development, Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology
|February 25, 2003
Summary
Adolescent worry is strongly linked to intolerance of uncertainty. This cognitive factor significantly predicts worry levels and helps distinguish between moderate and high worriers in teens.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Adolescent Psychology
- Cognitive Behavioral Science
Background:
- Worry is a common experience in adolescence.
- Understanding cognitive factors influencing worry is crucial for developing effective interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between adolescent worry and four cognitive variables: intolerance of uncertainty, positive beliefs about worry, negative problem orientation, and cognitive avoidance.
- To identify which cognitive variables are most predictive of worry severity in adolescents.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 528 adolescents (ages 14-18) completed questionnaires.
- Measures included assessments of worry, somatic anxiety symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty, positive beliefs about worry, negative problem orientation, and cognitive avoidance.
- Multiple regression and discriminant function analyses were employed.
Main Results:
- Intolerance of uncertainty, positive beliefs about worry, and negative problem orientation significantly predicted adolescent worry scores.
- A discriminant function using the four cognitive variables correctly classified 72.8% of moderate and high worriers.
- Intolerance of uncertainty demonstrated the strongest association with worry scores and was the most critical variable for differentiating between moderate and high worriers.
Conclusions:
- Intolerance of uncertainty plays a pivotal role in adolescent worry.
- Cognitive factors, particularly intolerance of uncertainty, are important targets for interventions aimed at reducing worry in adolescents.