Data Sheet 1_Living with uncertainty: associations of personal and environmental uncertainty, resilience, and self-efficacy with anxiety symptoms in young adults.pdf

First, general linear models were used to examine the trend of anxiety from Spring 2020–Fall 2023, combining data from both studies (N_wave= 1,158). Second, using data from the post-pandemic study (N = 1,001), a hierarchical regression was conducted to examine the relationship between uncertainty, self-efficacy and resilience with anxiety symptoms, and to test for moderation effects of self-efficacy and resilience on the uncertainty–anxiety relationship.</p>Results<p>A general linear model exhibited significantly better for a quadratic function compared to a linear function, suggesting an increase in anxiety followed by a saturation-plateau post-COVID-19 [β = −0.02, 95% CI (−0.03, −0.01)].

Regression results supported independent relationships [R(anxiety)2 = 39%], such that uncertainty positively was associated with anxiety [β = 0.50, CI (0.44, 0.56)], whereas self-efficacy [β = −0.22, 95% CI (−0.29, −0.15)], and resilience [β = −0.08, 95% CI (−0.29, −0.03)] were negatively associated. Moderation results were non-significant.</p>Conclusion<p>Our findings highlight that uncertainty may play a role in sustaining high levels of anxiety among university students.

Although high self-efficacy and resilience did not modify the relationship between uncertainty and anxiety symptoms, they were independently associated with lower anxiety levels. Addressing both global and specific facets of uncertainty appears to be highly relevant when designing targeted interventions to support mental health in young adults, particularly university students.</p>