Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale - Short Form
IUS-12A 12-item short form measuring prospective anxiety about uncertainty and uncertainty-related behavioral inhibition.
Ready-to-cite methods sentence
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Reliability & validation
Subscales
Known limitations
The relative fit and interpretation of one- versus two-factor models remains debated. The IUS-12 measures a transdiagnostic disposition and is not a diagnostic screener. Confirm reproduction terms before administration.
Original citation
Carleton, R. N., Norton, P. J., Asmundson, G. J. G. (2007). Fearing the unknown: A short version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(1), 105-117.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.03.014This instrument is licensed. Folio does not distribute its item wording — obtain permission from the copyright holder before using it in your study.
Questions researchers ask
What does the IUS-12 measure?
A 12-item short form measuring prospective anxiety about uncertainty and uncertainty-related behavioral inhibition.
How many items does the IUS-12 have?
The Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale - Short Form (IUS-12) has 12 items across 2 subscales: Prospective Anxiety, Inhibitory Anxiety.
Is the IUS-12 free to use?
The IUS-12 is licensed. You must obtain permission from the copyright holder before using it in a study — Folio does not distribute its item wording without that permission.
Is the IUS-12 reliable?
Validation studies report Cronbach's α of 0.85–0.91. See the reliability section for the population studied and full statistics.
Who developed the IUS-12, and how do I cite it?
Carleton, R. N., Norton, P. J., Asmundson, G. J. G. (2007). Fearing the unknown: A short version of the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 21(1), 105-117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2006.03.014
Permission required
Importing IUS-12into a Surveyor study is disabled: Folio holds the instrument’s metadata, not a license to pass on its wording. The citation, scoring and reliability details on this page are free to use and cite.
Related scales
Library entry verified August 2026. Metadata is provided for reference; item wording is available inside Folio Surveyor, subject to each instrument's licensing.