Are anxiety disorders publications continuing on a trajectory of growth? A look at Boschen’s (2008) predictions and beyond
Abstract
The relative health of a field of research can be approximated by assessing peer-reviewed journal publication trends for articles pertinent to that field. The most recent comprehensive assessment of publication trends in the anxiety disorders indicated that the field was on a continuing trajectory of growth (Boschen, 2008). We conducted an updated search of Medline for publications on each of the anxiety disorders from 2006 to 2016. Results indicated that there was continuing growth in anxiety disorders research overall and, particularly, for posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder. Publication trends observed in Medline were also reflected in the focus of papers published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders over the past 3 years; yet, a substantive number of papers in the journal also dealt with multiple anxiety disorders, anxiety-related constructs, transdiagnostic issues, and conditions with significant overlap with the anxiety disorders. Observed publication trends, shifts in the focus of research attention, and probable future research directions are discussed briefly.
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Research on GAD diagnosis remains less frequent than research on other anxiety diagnoses.
“Although the continued growth in research examining the phenomenology, underlying mechanisms, and treatment of GAD is promising, studies examining the diagnosis have continued to be less frequent than that of other anxiety diagnoses.”
From The increase in interest in GAD: Commentary on Asmundson & Asmundson (2018) · cites this paper as Asmundson & Asmundson, 2018
Even with more GAD research articles, GAD is still among the least studied anxiety disorders.
“Despite the increase in research articles on GAD, GAD still remains one of the least studied anxiety disorders.”
From The increase in interest in GAD: Commentary on Asmundson & Asmundson (2018) · cites this paper as Asmundson & Asmundson, 2018
From 2006 to 2016, GAD publication counts were lower than those for PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and OCD.
“Nonetheless, despite being the most frequently experienced anxiety diagnosis, Asmundson and Asmundson (2018) highlight that between 2006 and 2016 publication numbers have lagged behind that of other anxiety diagnoses, including posttraumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.”
From The increase in interest in GAD: Commentary on Asmundson & Asmundson (2018) · cites this paper as Asmundson & Asmundson, 2018
The number of published GAD studies has risen since 2006.
“Given its high prevalence and associated impairment, it is not surprising that Asmundson and Asmundson (2018) found that publications on GAD have been increasing since 2006.”
From The increase in interest in GAD: Commentary on Asmundson & Asmundson (2018) · cites this paper as Asmundson & Asmundson, 2018
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- Authors
- Asmundson, G. J. G., & Asmundson, A. J. N.
- Affiliations
- University of Regina (CA)
- Duquesne University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Asmundson, Gordon J.G.
- Venue
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2018-05
- Volume
- 56
- Pages
- 1-4
- ISSN
- 0887-6185 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2806360371
- Cited by
- 27
- References
- 13
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 5
- FWCI
- 4.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Anxiety Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Psychology Research and Bibliometrics
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty › scientometrics and bibliometrics research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Keywords
- anxiety disorders, publication trends, research growth, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, transdiagnostic constructs, research attention
- MeSH terms
- Anxiety Disorders, Humans, Periodicals as Topic, Publishing
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