Serial mediation analysis of the relationship between uncertainty intolerance and statistical anxiety in university students

Abstract

This study analyzes the effect of intolerance to uncertainty on statistical anxiety by mediating this relationship by negative problem orientation and worry in a sample of university students. A sample of 437 Colombian students (285 females) between 18 and 30 years old (M = 21.28, SD = 2.43) was analyzed using serial mediation models between inhibitory and prospective uncertainty intolerance and three dimensions of statistical anxiety (asking for help anxiety, examination anxiety, and interpretive anxiety). Uncertainty intolerance influences the emergence of statistical anxiety thanks to the mediation of dispositional variables. The findings highlight the mediating role of negative problem orientation on all anxious symptoms, whereas worry operates as a serial mediator against statistical test anxiety. This study demonstrates that low tolerance for uncertainty leads to the experience of statistical anxiety when students assume problems as a threat.