Fear of Earthquake and Psychological Distress: The Multiple Mediating Roles Intolerance of Uncertainty and Doomscrolling

Abstract

The fear of an earthquake is associated with psychological distress. However, little is known about how the fear of an earthquake can lead to psychological distress. This study set out to explore the multiple mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and doomscrolling between fear of earthquake and psychological distress. In this study, 415 participants were involved. Structural equation modeling was performed to analyze multiple mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and doomscrolling. The multiple mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and doomscrolling were statistically confirmed. This study revealed that the fear of an earthquake increased psychological distress, the indirect roles of intolerance of uncertainty and doomscrolling. These findings contribute to the clarification of the association between fear of an earthquake and psychological distress and the underlying mechanisms of this relationship. Nevertheless, further research is required to elucidate better the relationship between fear of an earthquake, intolerance of uncertainty, doomscrolling, and psychological distress. Recommendations are provided for practitioners and researchers.

Keywords

• Fear of earthquake
• psychological distress
• intolerance of uncertainty
• doomscrolling

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