Intolerance of Uncertainty,Acculturative Stress,Gratitude,and Distress: A Moderated Mediation Model

Abstract

Based on Berry’s (1997) model of acculturation, the current study examined whether gratitude would moderate the association between intolerance of uncertainty (IU) and acculturative stress (i.e., moderation hypothesis), and mitigate the positive association between IU and psychological distress through acculturative stress (i.e., moderated mediation hypothesis). Participants were 171 international students with Chinese heritage from a Midwest public university. Results from PROCESS supported these hypotheses. First, the positive association between IU and acculturative stress was attenuated to a greater extent at higher compared to lower levels of gratitude. Second, the mediation effect of IU on psychological distress through acculturative stress was weaker among those with higher compared to lower levels of gratitude. Findings demonstrate the protective role of gratitude and the role of IU as a risk factor for psychological distress through acculturative stress. Implications for practice, training, and research are discussed.

Keywords

intolerance of uncertainty acculturative stress gratitude international students with Chinese heritage psychological distress

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