Introduction and Objective: The present study aimed to investigate the mediating roles of rumination and health anxiety in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and both cyberchondria and obsessive–compulsive symptoms. The study was grounded in cognitive–emotional models that highlight the contribution of maladaptive beliefs and dysfunctional information-processing styles to the development of health-related psychological disorders.
Research Methodology: This research employed a descriptive, correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all university students in Tabriz. A total of 414 participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Participants completed standardized self-report measures assessing intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, health anxiety, cyberchondria, and obsessive–compulsive symptoms. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the hypothesized relationships among variables.
Findings: The proposed structural model demonstrated a very good fit to the data (CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.92, RMSEA = 0.08). The findings indicated that intolerance of uncertainty was indirectly associated with higher levels of cyberchondria and obsessive–compulsive symptoms through increased rumination and health anxiety. Both mediators significantly contributed to the strength of these indirect pathways.
Conclusion: The results emphasize the critical role of maladaptive cognitive styles and emotion regulation processes in the development of health-related psychological difficulties. Targeting intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, and health anxiety may be essential in prevention and intervention programs addressing cyberchondria and obsessive–compulsive symptomatology.