Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dual mediating effects of interpretation bias for ambiguity, cognitive closure desire, and cognitive avoidance on anxiety level. Data were collected from 533 college students using the self-report questionnaires assessing interpretation bias (AUSD-EX), need for cognitive closure (NFCS), cognitive avoidance (CAQ), and anxiety (STAI-S). The results were tested with the dual mediating model using correlation, multiple regression analysis, and bootstrap sampling methods using SPSS 21.0 and SPSS Macro. The results indicated that the more negatively an ambiguous situation is interpreted, the more anxiety increases by enhancing cognitive disclosure desire and cognitive avoidance. Additional implications and limitations are also discussed.