Exploring anxiety, uncertainty perception, treatment experiences and coping strategies: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Abstract

Objective

Stress and anxiety are considered a major causative factor of various behavioural outcomes, such as insomnia, debilitating psychological and psychosomatic symptoms, and certain physiological ill-health. The individual's appraisal process heavily influences a stress response, with the interpretation of the stressful situation being more important than the situation itself. This study aimed to examine the experiences and perceptions of stress and anxiety among individuals with anxiety. This included their coping mechanisms and experiences of treatment for anxiety. The concept of intolerance of uncertainty, a cognitive mechanism influencing anxiety, was also investigated.

Method

A qualitative interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was applied as a suitable method to gain a deep understanding of individuals' lived experiences of anxiety. Ten participants were selected to participate in a semi-structured interview.

Result

Three main themes were identified from participants' testimonies: (1) anxious narratives, (2) navigating anxiety and (3) healing journeys. The study revealed that participants experienced significant levels of stress and anxiety in their lives, with these conditions being perceived as substantial burdens. The coping mechanisms employed by participants predominantly centred around interpersonal support, particularly through engaging in conversations with loved ones. Common treatments for anxiety included antidepressants, private cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) sessions and counselling provided by general practitioners. However, accessibility issues and dissatisfaction with outcomes were reported concerning both CBT and antidepressant treatment.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for further research on effective interventions for stress- and anxiety-related disorders and emphasise the importance of personalised treatments based on intolerance of uncertainty and resilience factors.