The Prediction of Psychological Distress Tolerance based on the Motivational Structure and Traumatic Events Mediated by Ambiguity Tolerance in IBS Patients: A Structural Equation Modeling

Abstract

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a critical syndrome that harms the psychological, communicational, social, and emotional processes of individuals. Considering the importance of this topic, the present study was conducted with the aim to examine the relationship between motivational structure, traumatic events, and psychological distress tolerance mediated by ambiguity intolerance in individuals with IBS. Methods: The present correlational research was conducted using structural equation modeling (SEM). The statistical population comprised all individuals with IBS referring to the Digestive Disease Research Institute of Shariati Hospital, Iran, in 2020. From among these patients, 177 individuals were selected using convenience sampling method. The data were gathered using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), Personal Concerns Inventory (PCI), Ambiguity Tolerance Scale-II (MSTAT-II), and Life Events Checklist (LEC). SPSS software was used for the preliminary data analysis and SmartPLS software was used for PLS modeling. Results: The results of data analysis indicated the direct effect of adaptive motivation structure and traumatic events on distress tolerance. The aforementioned variables could also affect the distress tolerance of individuals with IBS by influencing their ambiguity tolerance (P < 0.01). However, traumatic events had a higher indirect effect through ambiguity tolerance compared to their direct effect. Furthermore, adaptive motivation structure had no significant direct or indirect effect on distress tolerance. Conclusion: This study confirmed the relationship between motivational structure and traumatic events with the mediating role of ambiguity intolerance among IBS sufferers. Furthermore, further studies must be conducted on ambiguity tolerance and the problems of individuals with IBS regarding the plethora of scientific evidence on the etiology of IBS syndrome.