Mindfulness as a mediator between intolerance of uncertainty and test anxiety among adolescents: a structural equation model
Ahmet Sapanci, Hamdi Korkman, Mark D Griffiths
Frontiers in Psychology April 8, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1793275 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional correlational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 834 |
| Population | High school students aged 14–18 in Afyon, Türkiye |
| Topics | Anxiety Meditation |
| Key findings | Higher intolerance of uncertainty was associated with lower mindfulness, which in turn predicted higher test anxiety, supporting a partial mediation model in which mindfulness mediates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and test anxiety. |
Abstract
Test anxiety is a prevalent problem among adolescents and is closely associated with cognitive and emotional responses to uncertainty. Although intolerance of uncertainty and mindfulness have each been linked to anxiety, their joint role within a unified explanatory model remains insufficiently explored. The present study examined whether mindfulness mediates the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and test anxiety among adolescents in Türkiye. Using a cross-sectional correlational design, data were collected between March and April 2025 from 834 high school students (aged 14–18 years) recruited through convenience sampling from multiple public secondary schools located in the city center of Afyon, Türkiye. Participants completed standardized self-report measures assessing intolerance of uncertainty, mindfulness, and test anxiety. Structural equation modeling was conducted using LISREL 8.8, following preliminary analyses in SPSS 27. Structural equation modeling showed that higher levels of intolerance of uncertainty were associated with lower mindfulness, which in turn predicted higher levels of test anxiety, supporting a partial mediation model. These findings identify mindfulness as a significant mediating variable in the association between intolerance of uncertainty and test anxiety and contribute to the understanding of their interrelations within evaluative academic contexts.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cites 7
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Effects of mindfulness on test anxiety: a meta-analysis Frontiers in Psychology June 24, 2024
- Promoting healthy transition to college through mindfulness training with first-year college students: Pilot randomized controlled trial Journal of American College Health January 11, 2017
and 2 more in the library