Intolerance of Uncertainty and Life Satisfaction: The Mediating Roles of Meaning in Life and Death Anxiety

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of human life, yet its association with life satisfaction remains insufficiently understood. While previous research has linked intolerance of uncertainty (IoU) primarily to anxiety and distress, less attention has been given to the existential processes through which it may be associated with overall well-being. The present study examined whether meaning in life (MiL) and death anxiety mediate the association between IoU and life satisfaction. Participants were 485 adults (68.3% female) aged 18–63 years ( M = 32.02, SD = 11.98). Using structural equation modeling, significant associations were observed among IoU, MiL, death anxiety, and life satisfaction. Bootstrap analyses with 5,000 resamples supported the hypothesized mediation model, showing that IoU was indirectly associated with lower life satisfaction through lower MiL and higher death anxiety. The sequential indirect association through MiL and death anxiety was also significant, suggesting that higher IoU was related to lower MiL, which was associated with higher death anxiety and, in turn, lower life satisfaction. These findings suggest that existential processes may help explain the association between uncertainty and well-being. By highlighting the mediating roles of MiL and death anxiety, the study points to the potential value of meaning-oriented approaches for addressing death-related concerns and supporting life satisfaction.