Purpose
Anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm is serious. However, the nature and definition of anxiety have not been elucidated so far. This study aimed to analyze the concept of anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Methods: The hybrid model was used to perform a concept analysis of anxiety which reflects disease specificity in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm. In the theoretical phase, thirteen pieces of literature were analyzed. In the fieldwork phase, in-depth interviews were conducted with seven patients, who decided to follow up without treatment, and then the content analysis was conducted. In the final analytic phase, attributes were figured out and the definition of anxiety was derived by comprehensively analyzing the results in the theoretical and fieldwork phases. Results: Thirteen attributes and four categories were identified in anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm means a state in which they feel fear of sudden rupture and death, worry about uncertain prognosis, worry about distorted thinking, constraints in carrying out daily activities and work, need to pursue healthy behavior, hunger for information, and occasionally experiencing physical symptoms. Conclusion: This study clarified the concept of anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Concept analysis of anxiety in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm can form the basis for intervention and understanding the patients.

Citations

• Illness Uncertainty of the Patients With Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms Treated by Coil Embolization
  JiEun Lee, SukJeong Lee, O-Ki Kwon
  Journal of Neuroscience Nursing.2023; 55(5): 150.     CrossRef
• Self-Efficacy and Self-Care Behavior in Patients with Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysm after Treatment with Coil Embolization
  Hyun Song Shin, Jeong Hye Kim
  Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2023; 23(2): 94.     CrossRef