THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANXIETY AND TOLERANCE FOR UNCERTAINTY: RESULTS OF AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

The article is devoted to a relevant issue of modern psychology – the study of the relationship between anxiety and tolerance for uncertainty as factors of psychological adaptation of youth to conditions of social instability. The purpose of the article is to identify the specific features of anxiety manifestations in young people with different levels of tolerance for uncertainty and to determine the nature of the relationship between these characteristics in the context of increasing external challenges (military actions, economic instability, information overload). The research methods included theoretical analysis of scientific sources, synthesis of psychological approaches, empirical study using psychodiagnostic techniques, and quantitative data analysis. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the identification of statistically significant inverse correlations between anxiety (both trait and state) and tolerance for uncertainty, which provides grounds to consider the latter as a key resource in overcoming anxiety states. Differences in the levels of the studied variables between cadets and civilian students are highlighted separately, which may be due to the specifics of the professional environment, educational training, and social roles. The practical significance of the article lies in the possibility of applying the obtained results to improve psychological support programs for youth, particularly in the areas of anxiety reduction, development of emotional resilience, and the formation of the ability to function constructively in uncertain conditions. Prospects for further research include studying the influence of sociocultural, age, and gender factors on the relationship between anxiety and tolerance for uncertainty, as well as developing targeted interventions for specific youth groups in prolonged crisis situations. Key words: anxiety, uncertainty, tension, fear, tolerance, self-help, self-regulation, cognitive-behavioral therapy, emotional resilience.