Structural Equation Modeling of Intolerance of Uncertainty, Cyberchondria, and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Health Anxiety and Rumination

Lashkari, Arezou; Aminoghafi, Faegheh

doi:10.22054/jcps.2026.86467.3241

Structural Equation Modeling of Intolerance of Uncertainty, Cyberchondria, and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms: The Mediating Role of Health Anxiety and Rumination

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran.

² MA in Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Marand Branch, Tabriz, Iran

10.22054/jcps.2026.86467.3241

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the mediating role of rumination and health anxiety in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and two pathological outcomes, namely cyberchondria and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The research was conducted within the framework of cognitive-emotional models that emphasize the role of maladaptive beliefs and processing styles in the occurrence of health-related disorders. The research method was descriptive and correlational, and the statistical population included all students of Tabriz universities. The participants were 414 people who were selected through convenience sampling and completed questionnaires related to intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, health anxiety, cyberchondria, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. The results showed that the structural model of the study has a very good fit (CFI= 0.94, TLI= 0.92, RMSEA= 0.08). Findings showed that intolerance of uncertainty was indirectly associated with higher levels of cyberchondria and obsessive-compulsive symptoms through increased rumination and health anxiety. These results emphasize the importance of maladaptive cognitive styles and emotion regulation strategies in understanding and preventing health-related psychological problem.

Keywords