Self-Compassion Predicts Intolerance of Uncertainty: A New Construct to Prepare Students for Clinical Uncertainty
Abstract
Learning Objectives: Managing uncertainty represents a significant source of stress for clinicians and trainees. Self-compassion is a strategy to help individuals cope with stress. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and self-compassion in medical students.
Background: For clinicians, higher scores on the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS) have been linked with failure to comply with evidence-based guidelines and higher likelihood of burnout. In contrast, higher self-compassion scores are correlated with decreased stress and burnout. A negative correlation between self-compassion and intolerance of uncertainty has been demonstrated in college students and general population. This relationship has not been examined in medical students and provides a possible curricular aim for addressing stress as they transition to clinical learning environments during clerkships.
Objectives: The goal of our study is to determine if there is a correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and self-compassion in medical students.
Methods: Third-year medical students (n=273) completed the IUS short version and the Self-Compassion Short Form (SCSF) through an online survey. Data was de-identified and a linear regression analysis was conducted to predict IUS based on SCSF. Pearson correlation was also calculated.
Results: Response rate was 95% (259/273). IUS and SCSF scores were treated as continuous variables and analyzed parametrically. Mean scores for IUS and SCSF in medical students did not differ from previously reported means (p=0.14 and p=0.43 respectively). A significant regression equation was found (F(1,256) = 48.372, p<0.0001) with an R2 of 0.159. Pearson correlation was calculated at r = 0.399 (moderate effect size).
Conclusion: A significant negative correlation was found between intolerance of uncertainty and self-compassion (p<0.0001). While findings suggest that self-compassion predicts intolerance of uncertainty, future studies should examine its implications on the role of curriculum in preparing learners for clinical uncertainty.