Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Cognitive Therapy and Research, cilt.48, sa.3, ss.526-536, 2024 (SSCI)
Background: This study aimed to adapt the Tolerance of Uncontrollability Questionnaire (TOUQ) to Turkish and examine its psychometric properties. The objective was to determine whether the Turkish version of TOUQ is a valid and reliable measure of intolerance of uncertainty. TOUQ is a 19-item scale used to measure intolerance of uncertainty, which is the tendency to experience negative emotions and avoid uncertain situations. Intolerance of uncertainty is associated with psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods: Data collection for this study took place between April 2022 and January 2023. The sample size was determined based on the recommendation that 5–20 participants per item are required. As a result, a sample of 346 participants was obtained. The non-clinical group consisted of 244 participants (143 women, 58.6%) recruited from a university in southwestern Turkey during the 2022–2023 academic year. The non-clinical group consisted of 102 participants (62 women, 60.8%) recruited from volunteers who applied to a psychiatric clinic in western Turkey. The age range of the participants was 18 to 73 years (mean = 25.2 ± 10.1). Data analysis was performed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), measurement invariance, and correlation analysis. CFA examined the construct validity of the scale. The convergent and divergent validity of TOUQ were investigated by correlation analysis with the Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory (FMI), the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Short Form (IUSS), and the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS). McDonald’s ω internal consistency coefficient was calculated for the scale’s reliability. Results: The CFA results of TOUQ confirmed its one-factor structure. The fit indexes of the CFA results showed promising results (χ2 = 436, df = 148, χ2/df = 2.95; RMSEA = 0.075; CFI = 0.918; TLI = 0.905; SRMR = 0.0511). In addition, all factor loadings were significant. TOUQ showed a strong positive correlation with FMI (r = 0.362, p <.001) and a strong negative correlation with IUSS total score (r = -0.322, p <.001), IUSS Prospective Anxiety factor score (r = -0.297, p <.001), IUSS Inhibitory Anxiety factor score (r = -0.288, p <.001), DTS total score (r = -0.131, p <.05), DTS Tolerance score (r = -0.195, p <.001), DTS Regulation score (r = -0.108, p <.05) and DTS Self-efficacy score (r = -0.118, p <.05). The McDonald’s ω internal consistency coefficient of the whole scale was found to be 0.931. Conclusions: The findings indicate that the Turkish version of TOUQ is a valid and reliable measure of intolerance of uncertainty. The scale’s one-factor structure, fit indexes, correlation analysis, and internal consistency coefficient yielded results consistent with the original study. However, further research is needed on the applicability and effectiveness of the scale in different cultures and groups with various psychiatric disorders.