Shahid Beheshti University Sports Psychology 2676-3729 15 2 2023 06 22 Relationship between Metacognitive Beliefs and Intolerance of Uncertainty with Health Anxiety among Athletes: Mediating Role of Physical Activity and Worry Relationship between Metacognitive Beliefs and Intolerance of Uncertainty with Health Anxiety among Athletes: Mediating Role of Physical Activity and Worry 236 254 106545 10.48308/mbsp.2023.1065.1533 FA Parisa Karbalaie Hasani M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Ashtian Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ashtian, Iran. 0000-0002-6029-2733 Gholamreza Sanago Moharer Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran. 0000-0001-6991-8328 Mahmood Ajloo PhD student in General Psychology, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran. Fatemeh Seyedi M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology, Arak Branch, Islamic Azad University, Arak, Iran. 0009-0002-1787-3564 Journal Article 2022 09 23 <strong>Purpose:</strong> The present study aimed to evaluate the fit of a structural model examining the mediating role of physical activity and worry in the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety in athletes.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all student-athletes in the city of Arak. A sample of 320 participants was selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Health Anxiety Questionnaire (Salkovskis et al., 2002), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Meyer et al., 1990), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (Wells & Cartwright-Hatton, 2004), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (McLeod et al., 2009). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The findings indicated that the indirect path coefficients between <strong>metacognitive beliefs</strong> and <strong>health anxiety</strong>, as well as between <strong>intolerance of uncertainty</strong> and <strong>health anxiety</strong>, through the mediators of <strong>physical activity</strong> and <strong>worry</strong>, were positive and statistically significant (P< 0.01).<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Designing psychological and training interventions that simultaneously target <strong>worry regulation</strong> and the promotion of an <strong>active lifestyle</strong> may contribute to improving athletes’ mental health.<br />  <strong>Purpose:</strong> The present study aimed to evaluate the fit of a structural model examining the mediating role of physical activity and worry in the relationship between metacognitive beliefs and intolerance of uncertainty with health anxiety in athletes.<br /><strong>Methods:</strong> This research employed a descriptive-correlational design. The statistical population consisted of all student-athletes in the city of Arak. A sample of 320 participants was selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Health Anxiety Questionnaire (Salkovskis et al., 2002), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (Meyer et al., 1990), the Metacognitions Questionnaire-30 (Wells & Cartwright-Hatton, 2004), and the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (McLeod et al., 2009). Data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.<br /><strong>Results:</strong> The findings indicated that the indirect path coefficients between <strong>metacognitive beliefs</strong> and <strong>health anxiety</strong>, as well as between <strong>intolerance of uncertainty</strong> and <strong>health anxiety</strong>, through the mediators of <strong>physical activity</strong> and <strong>worry</strong>, were positive and statistically significant (P< 0.01).<br /><strong>Conclusion:</strong> Designing psychological and training interventions that simultaneously target <strong>worry regulation</strong> and the promotion of an <strong>active lifestyle</strong> may contribute to improving athletes’ mental health.<br />  https://mbsp.sbu.ac.ir/article_106545_ff5d799224765963a0fe9eb6e02dd775.pdf