International Journal of Nursing Knowledge

Anxiety, a nursing diagnosis that impacts clients in all settings and nurses throughout the profession, is clarified through the technique of concept analysis. Uses of the concept of anxiety in prominent theories of human behavior and in nursing are reviewed. Four critical attributes occurring in all cases of anxiety are identified—model cases, a related case, a contrary case, and an illegitimate case are presented. Antecedents to anxiety are identified. Consequences of anxiety are discussed. Empirical referents that demonstrate occurrence of the concept of anxiety are determined, classified, and related to critical attributes. This concept analysis provides an essential conceptual base for instrument development and clinical research on anxiety.