Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS-12)
Measures your reactions to uncertainty and ambiguous situations
Do uncertain situations make you anxious? The IUS-12 measures how you respond to uncertainty and ambiguous situations. 12 items, about 3-5 minutes.
Does Uncertainty Make You Anxious?
Some people handle not knowing with a shrug. Others feel like they're walking on eggshells until things become clear. Intolerance of Uncertainty (IU) is the tendency to find uncertain or ambiguous situations threatening, and it's a known risk factor for both anxiety and depression.
The IUS-12 is a 12-item short form of the original 27-item scale (Carleton et al., 2007). It covers two dimensions: prospective IU (anxiety about future uncertainty) and inhibitory IU (paralysis in the face of uncertainty). Each item uses a 5-point scale; total scores range from 12 to 60, with higher scores meaning less tolerance for uncertainty.
Research has linked high IU to GAD, OCD, social anxiety, and depression. Knowing your level can help you recognize when uncertainty is driving your anxiety and take steps to manage it.
Reference
Carleton, R. N., Norton, M. A. P. J., & Asmundson, G. J. G. (2007). Fearing the unknown: A short version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. <em>Journal of Anxiety Disorders</em>, 21(1), 105-117.
Result Interpretation
After completing the 12 questions, you'll receive an immediate, detailed report with:
- Your score — calculated automatically based on your responses
- Score interpretation — what your score means in practical terms
- Context — how your results compare to general population norms where available
All results are displayed on screen. No account or login needed.