Exploring Intolerance of Uncertainty and Psychological Help-Seeking Attitudes as Mediators of Post-Traumatic Growth in COVID-19 Survivors
International Journal of Clinical Practice, cilt.2026, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 2026 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1155/ijcp/6865671
- Dergi Adı: International Journal of Clinical Practice
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: COVID-19, intolerance of uncertainty, posttraumatic growth, psychological distress, psychological help
- Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted physical and psychological health worldwide, increasing stress and anxiety, particularly among individuals with low tolerance for uncertainty. While the pandemic has posed severe challenges, individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 may also experience positive psychological changes, which can be understood through the framework of post-traumatic growth. Objective: This study investigates the relationships between post-traumatic growth, intolerance of uncertainty, and attitudes toward seeking psychological help in COVID-19 survivors. It explores how these factors are associated with post-traumatic growth. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 101 participants, including 51 COVID-19 survivors and 50 healthy controls. Data were collected using the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Psychological Help Scale–Short Form. The study examined the associations between COVID-19 recovery, post-traumatic growth, intolerance of uncertainty, and help-seeking attitudes. Results: COVID-19 survivors demonstrated significantly higher post-traumatic growth scores, particularly in the “life philosophy” and “self-perception” dimensions, compared to controls. They also reported greater intolerance of uncertainty and prospective anxiety. Mediation analysis revealed that positive attitudes toward seeking psychological help did not significantly mediate the relationship between COVID-19 recovery and post-traumatic growth, while prospective anxiety showed a nonsignificant indirect effect. A significant direct association was observed between COVID-19 recovery status and post-traumatic growth. Higher intolerance of uncertainty and help-seeking attitudes were correlated with greater post-traumatic growth. Conclusions: COVID-19 recovery was directly and significantly associated with post-traumatic growth, independent of help-seeking attitudes and prospective anxiety. Although the hypothesized mediating roles of intolerance of uncertainty and help-seeking attitudes were not statistically supported, these variables showed noteworthy associations with post-traumatic growth. Addressing intolerance of uncertainty and promoting adaptive help-seeking attitudes may represent important targets for post-pandemic psychological support interventions.