Understanding anger in patients with generalized anxiety in primary health care

Experiences of Anger in Patients in Primary Health Care With Symptoms of Generalized Anxiety - a Qualitative Study From the Perspective of Patients and Health Care Professionals

Observational Kronoberg County Council · NCT04702711

This study looks at how adults with generalized anxiety feel and express anger, and how their doctors understand and handle this anger in a primary care setting.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment40 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorKronoberg County Council Government
Locations1 site (Vaxjo)
Trial IDNCT04702711 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study aims to explore how adult patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety experience anger, as well as how healthcare professionals perceive and manage this anger in a primary care setting. By utilizing qualitative methods, the research seeks to gather in-depth insights from both patients and healthcare providers. The study will involve interviews and questionnaires to assess the experiences and attitudes related to anger and anxiety. The findings could enhance the understanding of the emotional dynamics in primary health care for patients with anxiety symptoms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults experiencing clinically significant symptoms of generalized anxiety who can communicate effectively in Swedish.

Not a fit: Patients with severe psychiatric conditions requiring specialized care or those with significant cognitive impairments will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve the management of anger in patients with generalized anxiety, leading to better therapeutic outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While previous research has indicated a link between generalized anxiety and anger, this qualitative approach is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety

Inclusion Criteria:

* Clinically significant level of symptoms of generalized anxiety which is confirmed by a self-rated diagnose of GAD on the questionnaire GAD-Q-IV (Newman et al., 2002; Moore et al., 2014). The questions of the GAD-Q-IV correspond to the A, B, C and D criteria of GAD in Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5).
* Sufficient knowledge in Swedish to be able to answer questionnaires and take part in an interview.
* If the patient receives any medical or psychological treatment for generalized anxiety this should be recently started and/or not yet have led to any notable decrease of symptoms. In the case of pharmacological treatment this should not be associated with more extensive psychological side-effects.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe psychiatric difficulties where the patient needs specialized psychiatric care
* Known brain-injury or symptoms of dementia
* The patient is in an acute crisis
* Obvious alcohol or substance abuse

Health care professionals

Inclusion Criteria:

* Have a health care profession and work at a primary health care center.
* Current working experience of at least one year at a primary health care center which included contact with patients with symptoms of generalized anxiety

Exclusion Criteria:

\- Being at the primary health care center in the role of an external student

Where this trial is running

Vaxjo

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Generalized AnxietyAngerPrimary Health CareWorry
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.