Trait Anxiety in Children and Adolescents: Alternative Models of the Role of Cognitive Flexibility and Intolerance of Uncertainty

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental health problems in children and adolescents, affecting their academic and social functioning, family dynamics, and overall quality of life. Guided by the cognitive model of anxiety, this study aimed to examine how cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty contribute to trait anxiety in children and adolescents. This study was conducted with a total of 932 children and adolescents aged between 10 and 19 in Turkiye (with a mean age of 14.47 and a standard deviation of 2.16). Results indicate a positive correlation between anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty, with higher levels of intolerance of uncertainty corresponding to increased anxiety levels. Additionally, anxiety shows a negative correlation with cognitive flexibility, suggesting that flexible thinking in stressful situations is associated with lower levels of anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty. In addition, there is a negative relationship between cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty. Cognitive flexibility and intolerance of uncertainty explain 49.6% of the variance in trait anxiety in children and adolescents. The findings highlight the importance of cognitive flexibility and intolerance of ambiguity in promoting mental well-being among children and adolescents and suggest implications for interventions aimed at increasing cognitive flexibility and reducing intolerance of ambiguity as protective and risk factors for anxiety and its reduction in this population.