Contrasting Relationships Between Anxiety and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Cornelia de Lange and Fragile X Syndromes
Kayla Smith1,2, Victoria Perry3, Laura Groves4,5,6
1Mental Health and Wellbeing Unit, Division of Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
Background:
Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS) and fragile X syndrome (FXS) are associated with co-occurring autism and anxiety. In autistic people, intolerance of uncertainty (IU) mediates the relationship between autistic characteristics and anxiety, but it is not known whether this relationship is evident in these genetic syndromes. Understanding the relationship between autism, anxiety and IU is essential to informing the theoretical frameworks of anxiety in rare genetic syndromes and improving clinical interventions.
Method:
Sixty participants with CdLS or FXS participated in a questionnaire-based study to examine the association between autistic characteristics, anxiety and IU.
Results:
IU mediated the association between autism and anxiety in participants with CdLS but not in participants with FXS.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that other factors may contribute to the autism-anxiety relationship in FXS, and highlight the merit of syndrome-specific approaches to the study of anxiety. Recommendations are made for intervention-based research to ameliorate anxiety in CdLS.
Related Concept Videos
Theory of Romantic Attachment in Adulthood
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Social Anxiety Disorder
Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Horney's Sociocultural Approach
Panic Disorder


