Intolerance of uncertainty as a vulnerability factor for parents of childhood cancer survivors

Background. Increasing survival rates in childhood cancer have yielded a growing
population of parents of childhood cancer survivors (CCs). This research aimed
to investigate psychological adjustment related to the vulnerability factor of
intolerance of uncertainty among parents of CCs.
Methods. In a 3-month follow-up study, we assessed the intolerance of
uncertainty and its maintaining factors among 61 parents of CCs.
Results. Noticeable intolerance of uncertainty rates were found. At both
assessments, results showed that this factor was central in the development of
anxiety, excessive worries, poor problem orientation, rumination, cognitive
avoidance and positive beliefs about worry. Repeated measures (ANOVA)
revealed a stability of intolerance of uncertainty over time.
Conclusions. Parents who are intolerant of uncertainty are at risk to display
dysfunctional behaviours over time. Sensitizing health care professionals to the
identification of this factor and its associated difficulties is essential for the
implementation of efficient intervention strategies.