International Journal of Nursing Knowledge

In this study, the author (a) identifies and validates critical and supportive characteristics of the nursing diagnosis anxiety, and (b) differentiates the defining characteristics of the nursing diagnosis anxiety from the nursing diagnosis fear. The sample consisted of 233 nurses with a master's degree in psychiatric-mental health nursing or medical-surgical nursing. The study design followed the nurse validation model of Gordon and Sweeney (1979) as expanded by Fehring (1986, 1987). Following concept analyses of anxiety and fear, the author developed three instruments for rating characteristics as to how representative they were of fear or anxiety. Three critical defining characteristics were identified for anxiety and six critical defining characteristics were identified for fear. Nurses differentiated between the two diagnoses but also suggested the presence of a fear-anxiety syndrome in some clients.

Predicting violent behavior is a major concern for nurses as well as other mental health professionals. Two diagnostic assessment systems (Nursing Diagnosis-NANDA and Psychiatric Diagnosis-DSM III-R) were compared in their ability to predict assaultive behavior. The nursing diagnosis potential for violence suggested a difference (p= .07) between the assaultive and control subjects. No differences were found between assaultive and control subjects on psychiatric diagnoses. Nursing diagnosis is based upon measurable behaviors and is time specific. Clinical implications and further research endeavors in this area are suggested.