Who Predicts Mainly Anxiety and Depression Severity in The Community Sample: Metacognitions or Intolerance of Uncertainty?

Abstract

Objective: Our study aims to find the predictors of anxiety and depression in a community sample. Methods: Beck depression inventory (BDI), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS), and Metacognition Questionnaire-30 (MCQ-30) were rated by 172 individuals who were without ongoing psychiatric disorders and treatment. Results: There were significant relationships between BAI and cognitive confidence and the total score of MCQ (r=0.175 and r=0.157, respectively; p<0.05). BDI had significant relationships with all subscales and total scores of MCQ-30 and IUS (r=0.234-0.520, p<0.05). There was a significant relationship between the total score of MCQ-30 and IUS (r=0.707, p<0.05). MCQ-30 and IUS did not predict anxiety symptoms. However, “need to control thoughts” (β=0.49, p<0.05) and “cognitive self-consciousness” (β=-0.27, p<0.05) predicted levels of depression and explained 34% of the variance in depression. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study showed depression had a more close relationship with metacognitions than anxiety did. Despite the limitations, our findings highlight the possible relationship between two important cognitive models and anxiety and depression.

Keywords

• anxiety
• depression
• intolerance of uncertainty
• metacognition