Volume 24, Issue 1 (9-2026)
RBS 2026, 24(1): 30-45 |
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Pourmohsen Hassan Kiadeh M, Tamannaeifar S, Mousavi S H. The Role of Metacognitive Beliefs and Intolerance of Uncertainty in Health Anxiety: Mediated by Rumination and Experiential Avoidance. RBS 2026; 24 (1) :30-45
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2171-en.html
URL: http://rbs.mui.ac.ir/article-1-2171-en.html
1- Department of Clinical Psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of clinical psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Clinical Psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. ,dr.hakimehmousavi@iau.ac.ir
2- Department of clinical psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
3- Department of Clinical Psychology, SR.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. ,
Abstract: (9 Views)
Aim and Background: This study examined the role of metacognitive beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty in health anxiety through the mediating roles of rumination and experiential avoidance among employed women in Tehran.
Methods and Materials: The study used a descriptive correlational design. The population comprised employed women living in Tehran in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 295 questionnaires were collected; after removing outliers, data from 260 participants were analyzed. Measures included the Health Anxiety Inventory, Metacognitions Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, and Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using correlation, path analysis, and bootstrapping in SPSS and AMOS.
Findings: Metacognitive beliefs had a significant positive direct association with health anxiety, whereas the direct association between intolerance of uncertainty and health anxiety was not significant. Rumination and experiential avoidance were significantly associated with health anxiety. The indirect associations of metacognitive beliefs with health anxiety through rumination and experiential avoidance were significant. The indirect associations of intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety through both mediators were also significant. The model variables explained 52% of the variance in health anxiety, and the fit indices supported acceptable model fit.
Conclusions: Rumination and experiential avoidance appear to be important mechanisms linking metacognitive beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety. Interventions targeting maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, greater tolerance of uncertainty, reduced rumination, and reduced experiential avoidance may therefore be useful for addressing health anxiety in employed women.
Methods and Materials: The study used a descriptive correlational design. The population comprised employed women living in Tehran in 2025. Using convenience sampling, 295 questionnaires were collected; after removing outliers, data from 260 participants were analyzed. Measures included the Health Anxiety Inventory, Metacognitions Questionnaire, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Ruminative Responses Scale, and Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using correlation, path analysis, and bootstrapping in SPSS and AMOS.
Findings: Metacognitive beliefs had a significant positive direct association with health anxiety, whereas the direct association between intolerance of uncertainty and health anxiety was not significant. Rumination and experiential avoidance were significantly associated with health anxiety. The indirect associations of metacognitive beliefs with health anxiety through rumination and experiential avoidance were significant. The indirect associations of intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety through both mediators were also significant. The model variables explained 52% of the variance in health anxiety, and the fit indices supported acceptable model fit.
Conclusions: Rumination and experiential avoidance appear to be important mechanisms linking metacognitive beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety. Interventions targeting maladaptive metacognitive beliefs, greater tolerance of uncertainty, reduced rumination, and reduced experiential avoidance may therefore be useful for addressing health anxiety in employed women.
Keywords: Health anxiety, Metacognitive beliefs, Intolerance of uncertainty, Rumination, Experiential avoidance.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
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Received: 2026/08/16 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/1
Received: 2026/08/16 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/09/1
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