Psychometric properties of the American version of the Chronic Uncertainty scale: long and short version (CU-40; CU-20)

Abstract

Background: Uncertainty is a widespread phenomenon experienced worldwide. The bulk of existing research to date has focused on transitory or acute experiences of uncertainty, often in the particular context of illness. The current study evaluated the psychometric properties of the cross-contextual 40-item (long) and 20-item (short) Chronic Uncertainty scale (CU-40; CU-20).

Methods: A U.S. sample of 1083 participants (55% female) was recruited via Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Exploratory factor analysis revealed a six-factor model.

Results: Results of the Confirmatory factor analysis showed good model fit for the original and a slightly better model fit for the modified version of the CU-40 and CU-20. Slightly different item-to-factor attributions were suggested for the questionnaires. Internal consistencies were good for both models.

Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the CU scale offers psychometrically sound assessments of chronic uncertainty across a range of dimensions. Further assessments and implementations of the CU in different contexts using diverse samples are encouraged to test the efficacy of the CU measures as screening tools of general aspects of chronic uncertainty.