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Validation of the Ambivalence and Uncertainty Scale
Julia-Katharina Matthias1, Andreas M Baranowski1, Anna C Culmann1
1Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, 53127 Bonn, Germany.
The Ambivalence and Uncertainty Scale (AUS) effectively measures psychological traits in healthcare professionals. This validation study confirms its utility for assessing ambivalence and uncertainty tolerance in high-stress environments.
Area of Science:
- Psychological Measurement
- Occupational Health Psychology
Background:
- Healthcare professionals face high-stress situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Dispositional ambivalence, ambivalence intolerance, and decision-making difficulties are key psychological challenges.
- The Ambivalence and Uncertainty Scale (AUS) was developed to address these challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To validate the Ambivalence and Uncertainty Scale (AUS).
- To assess the scale's psychometric properties in a sample of German healthcare professionals.
- To confirm the AUS's utility in measuring ambivalence and uncertainty tolerance.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 1240 German healthcare professionals.
- Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) for scale dimensionality.
- Internal consistency (Cronbach's α) and construct validity (convergent and divergent) were assessed.
Main Results:
- EFA supported a unidimensional structure for the AUS, explaining 64.33% of variance.
- The AUS demonstrated excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86).
- Strong convergent validity was found with anxiety, depression, and burnout; divergent validity was supported with fatigue and work-family conflict.
Conclusions:
- The validated AUS is a reliable tool for measuring dispositional ambivalence and uncertainty tolerance.
- The scale is relevant for understanding psychological adaptation and resilience in stressful occupational settings.
- Findings highlight the AUS's importance for mental health research among healthcare professionals.
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