The Impact of Perceived Control on Undergraduate Students' Ability to Tolerate Uncertainty during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Pakistan: Meaning in Life as a Moderator

Abstract

Aim of the study: The present study explored the tolerance of uncertainty among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, its relationship with perceived control, and meaning in life as a moderator in this association.

Methodology: This cross-sectional research study included 277 undergraduate students (169 females and 108 males, aged 18-24 years) from three public universities in Pakistan who completed an online survey. The research tools included the Mastery Scale (MS), Meaning in Life Scale (MLS), and Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (IUS). Pearson’s correlation and moderation analyses were employed.

Findings: The study’s findings revealed that perceived control has a positive relationship with the presence of meaning in life and tolerance of uncertainty. Both the presence of and search for meaning in life were also positively related to the tolerance of uncertainty. Among sociodemographic variables, gender was associated with perceived control; male undergraduate students had more perceived control than female undergraduate students, while the disturbance in studies due to COVID-19 had a negative association with the presence of meaning in life, perceived control, and tolerance of uncertainty.

Conclusion: The study model demonstrated that the search for meaning in life moderates perceived control and tolerance of uncertainty. Those with high perceived control and lower motivations to seek meaning showed elevated levels of tolerance for uncertainty. The study results highlight the importance of perceived control in tolerating uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic and indicate that effective measures should be taken to enhance undergraduate students’ control.