Perceptions of Psychologists in Spanish Public Health Centers Regarding the Well-Being of Patients With Anxiety Complaints

TL;DR

This study explores how Spanish public health psychologists perceive the well-being of patients with anxiety, emphasizing the importance of social and psychological factors beyond symptom reduction.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel focus on clinicians' perspectives in assessing well-being, using thematic analysis to reveal strategies for promoting flourishing in anxious patients.

Findings

Psychologists identified social and psychological dimensions of well-being as crucial for patients with anxiety.

Participants described strategies to foster positive functioning beyond symptom reduction.

Flourishing was observed even in distress when supported by connection and public commitment to mental health.

Abstract

Persistent anxiety impairs quality of life and calls for approaches beyond symptom reduction. The Positive Mental Health framework expands this perspective by emphasizing subjective, psychological, and social dimensions of well-being. This research aimed to examine how psychologists working in Spanish public health services perceive the well-being of patients with anxiety, focusing specifically on clinicians’ interpretations rather than patients’ self-reports. This qualitative, exploratory study used semi-structured interviews to investigate these perceptions, gathering accounts from psychologists employed in public health centers across Spain. Twelve professionals, mostly from the Valencian Community, participated in semi-structured interviews conducted predominantly in an asynchronous online format. Data were analyzed using thematic-categorical content analysis and subsequently organized into two analytical axes comprising eleven categories. The first axis, general perspectives, encompassed: characteristics of patients and society; risk factors; types and symptoms of anxiety; and professional practice. The second axis, well-being, comprised the categories Presence of Subjective Well-Being (SWB), Absence of SWB, Presence of Social Well-Being (SoWB), Absence of SoWB, Presence of Psychological Well-Being (PWB), and Absence of PWB. While difficulties across well-being domains were prevalent, some accounts showed signs of flourishing. Beyond symptom-focused care, participants described strategies to foster positive functioning. The findings highlight the need for clinical practices that combine empathic listening with active promotion of well-being, acknowledging social influences. Flourishing may emerge even in distress when supported by connection, purpose, and public commitment to mental health.