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.

Keywords: Anxiety disorders; Medline; Obsessive compulsive disorder; Posttraumatic stress; Publication; Transdiagnostic.