| Title: | Coping with existential anxiety : how resilience, intolerance of uncertainty, and cognitive-emotion regulation shape mental health outcomes |
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| Authors: | ID Smrke, Urška (Author)
ID Plohl, Nejc (Author)
ID Mlakar, Izidor (Author)
ID Lampret, Ana (Author) |
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| Files: |  1-s2.0-S0001691826003483-main.pdf (965,77 KB)
MD5: D170CCA9280A2EDD4549A704E1C645BF
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| Language: | English |
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| Work type: | Article |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: | FERI - Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
FF - Faculty of Arts
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| Abstract: | Background Existential anxiety (EA) is a transdiagnostic construct increasingly recognized for its role in the development of depression and anxiety. Despite its relevance, most research has focused only on a subset of EA and largely neglected the role of malleable moderating factors that could be addressed via psychotherapeutic practices, such as cognitive emotion regulation (CER) strategies, psychological resilience, and intolerance of uncertainty (IU), which are explored in the present study. Methods Slovenian young adults (N = 330; M = 21.20 years, SD = 1.85; 63.3% female) participated in an online survey. Results EA significantly predicted depression and anxiety. Psychological resilience buffered, while IU amplified the relationship between EA and both outcomes. Maladaptive CER strategies moderated the relationship between EA and general anxiety, whereas adaptive CER strategies did not moderate any investigated relationship. Specific CER strategies also showed differential effects: catastrophizing amplified the relationship for both outcomes while refocusing on planning buffered the relationship between EA and depression. Conclusions EA is associated with depression and general anxiety in young adults. While psychological resilience can mitigate these associations, IU and (certain) maladaptive CER strategies can intensify them. Findings suggest promising targets for therapeutic interventions to alleviate existential distress and improve emotional well-being. |
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| Keywords: | existential anxiety, cognitive-emotion regulation strategies, psychological resilience, intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 16.07.2025 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 23.02.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 09.03.2026 |
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| Publisher: | Elsevier B.V. |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 8 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 264, [article no.] 106547 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DKUM-97547  |
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| UDC: | 159.944.4:613 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1873-6297 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 271211779 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.actpsy.2026.106547 |
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| Copyright: | © 2026 Published by Elsevier B.V. |
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| Publication date in DKUM: | 18.03.2026 |
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| Views: | 228 |
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| Downloads: | 28 |
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| Metadata: |    |
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| Categories: | Misc.
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