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The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Alcohol Use in First Responders: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Direct, Mediating and Moderating Role of Generalized Resistance Resources

Author

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  • Tyrone B. Pretorius

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7530, South Africa)

  • Anita Padmanabhanunni

    (Department of Psychology, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7530, South Africa)

Abstract

Intolerance of uncertainty (IU) refers to the disproportionate propensity to react negatively to uncertain events, and it has been associated with negative psychological outcomes such as depression and anxiety. The current study examined the role of resilience, hardiness, self-efficacy and self-compassion in the relationship between IU and alcohol use in a sample of South African first responders. These variables are examples of what is referred to as generalized resistance resources, which enable individuals to deal with the challenges of life. A sample of 429 first responders completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-12, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale-10, the Self-Compassion Scale-Short Form, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Short Hardiness Scale and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. The results of PROCESS analyses found direct and mediating effects for resilience and self-efficacy, no effects for hardiness and moderating effects for self-compassion. In this regard, a graph of the interaction between intolerance of uncertainty and self-compassion showed that at low levels of self-compassion, the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and alcohol use was strong and significant, while at high levels of self-compassion the relationship was non-significant. In addition, the Johnson–Neyman plot showed that the exact value of self-compassion at which point the relationship between intolerance and uncertainty ceased to be significant was 36.37. These obtained results confirm the important role of generalized resistance resources in wellbeing and provide a basis for tailored interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Tyrone B. Pretorius & Anita Padmanabhanunni, 2025. "The Relationship Between Intolerance of Uncertainty and Alcohol Use in First Responders: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Direct, Mediating and Moderating Role of Generalized Resistance Resources," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:383-:d:1606637
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Teodora Safiye & Medo Gutić & Jakša Dubljanin & Tamara M. Stojanović & Draško Dubljanin & Andreja Kovačević & Milena Zlatanović & Denis H. Demirović & Nemanja Nenezić & Ardea Milidrag, 2023. "Mentalizing, Resilience, and Mental Health Status among Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-14, April.
    2. Anita Padmanabhanunni & Tyrone B. Pretorius, 2024. "Being Cynical Is Bad for Your Wellbeing: A Structural Equation Model of the Relationship Between Cynicism and Mental Health in First Responders in South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(12), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Ann Scheck McAlearney & Alice A. Gaughan & Sarah R. MacEwan & Megan E. Gregory & Laura J. Rush & Jaclyn Volney & Ashish R. Panchal, 2022. "Pandemic Experience of First Responders: Fear, Frustration, and Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-12, April.
    4. Itumeleng Ntatamala & Shahieda Adams, 2022. "The Correlates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Ambulance Personnel and Barriers Faced in Accessing Care for Work-Related Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Veronica Benincasa & Maria Passannante & Filippo Perrini & Luna Carpinelli & Giuseppina Moccia & Tiziana Marinaci & Mario Capunzo & Concetta Pironti & Armando Genovese & Giulia Savarese & Francesco De, 2022. "Burnout and Psychological Vulnerability in First Responders: Monitoring Depersonalization and Phobic Anxiety during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-9, February.
    6. Marco Lauriola & R. Nicholas Carleton & Daniela Tempesta & Pierpaolo Calanna & Valentina Socci & Oriana Mosca & Federico Salfi & Luigi De Gennaro & Michele Ferrara, 2019. "A Correlational Analysis of the Relationships among Intolerance of Uncertainty, Anxiety Sensitivity, Subjective Sleep Quality, and Insomnia Symptoms," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-15, September.
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