Path analysis of the relationship between uncertainty intolerance and worry in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with cognitive avoidance mediation

Background & 

The aim of this study was to investigate the pattern of path analysis of the relationship between uncertainty intolerance and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) with cognitive avoidance mediation. Materials &

The present study was a descriptive correlational study (type of path analysis). The population of the present study included all people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Mashhad who referred to Center for MS patients the second half of1399. The sample size was 250 people who were selected by convenience sampling method. The Freeston et al. (1994) Uncertainty Intolerance Questionnaire, Pennsylvania Meyer et al. (1990), Sexton and Dagas (2004) Cognitive Avoidance Questionnaire were used as research tools. Path analysis method was used to analyze the data. Data analysis was performed using Lisrel8.8 software.

The results of path analysis showed that all adaptive indicators of the model indicated a good fit of the model and cognitive avoidance has a mediating role in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Since the results showed the important role of intolerance and cognitive avoidance in the level of anxiety of these patients, providing appropriate training to improve intolerance and cognitive avoidance in these patients seems necessary.