The relationship between intolerance to uncertainty, emotion regulation skills and aggression in adults

The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between intolerance of uncertainty, emotion regulation skills and aggression in adults. The sample consists of 262 healthy adults aged between 18 and 65 (180 females, 82 males), selected through convenience sampling across Turkey. Participants completed a Demographic Information Form, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale–Short Form (IUS-12), the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), and the Brief Aggression Questionnaire (BAQ-12). The data were analyzed with Pearson correlation and group comparisons (t-test, ANOVA) in the correlational survey model research. The findings show that the level of intolerance of uncertainty is positively correlated with aggression tendency. In addition, it was found that individuals with high levels of intolerance of uncertainty used maladaptive emotion regulation strategies more frequently and those who exhibited aggression had difficulty in regulating their emotions. While male participants exhibited significantly higher aggression scores compared to females, no gender differences were observed in intolerance of uncertainty. Additionally, individuals with shorter sleep durations had higher scores in both aggression and intolerance of uncertainty, whereas those engaging in regular physical activity showed lower levels of aggression and more functional emotion regulation skills. These results were discussed in a manner consistent with the literature and the role of sleep and physical activity in supporting psychological functioning was emphasized. The results suggest that improving coping with uncertainty and emotion regulation skills may reduce aggression.