{"id":{"repo_id":"reykjavik","oai_identifier":"oai:skemman.is:1946/53442"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/reykjavik/oai:skemman.is:1946/53442","repository":{"repo_id":"reykjavik","name":"Reykjavík University","base_url":"https://skemman.is/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"Public Attitudes Toward Psychological, Pharmacological and Alternative Treatments for Anxiety and Depression","abstract":"Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders, yet many individuals do not seek or remain engaged in treatment. Public attitudes toward treatment may influence help-seeking and adherence. This study examined attitudes toward psychological, pharmacological, and alternative treatments for anxiety and depression, and explored differences in attitudes across gender and age groups. A total of 163 participants of ages 16 or older completed a questionnaire distributed via social media. Results indicated more favorable attitudes toward talk-based therapy, which was perceived as the most effective treatment across domains, including symptom reduction and addressing underlying causes. Pharmacological treatment was viewed more ambivalently, with participants recognizing its effectiveness for symptom relief but expressing skepticism about its ability to address root causes. Alternative treatments showed varied acceptance, with meditation and breathing exercises viewed positively, while mind-altering substances were evaluated negatively. No significant differences were observed between genders or across age groups. These findings suggest that treatment attitudes may be shaped not only by perceived effectiveness, but also by beliefs about how different treatments work. Keywords: anxiety, depression, treatment attitudes, psychological treatment, pharmacological treatment, alternative treatments","abstract_html":"Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders, yet many individuals do not seek or remain engaged in treatment. Public attitudes toward treatment may influence help-seeking and adherence. This study examined attitudes toward psychological, pharmacological, and alternative treatments for anxiety and depression, and explored differences in attitudes across gender and age groups. A total of 163 participants of ages 16 or older completed a questionnaire distributed via social media. Results indicated more favorable attitudes toward talk-based therapy, which was perceived as the most effective treatment across domains, including symptom reduction and addressing underlying causes. Pharmacological treatment was viewed more ambivalently, with participants recognizing its effectiveness for symptom relief but expressing skepticism about its ability to address root causes. Alternative treatments showed varied acceptance, with meditation and breathing exercises viewed positively, while mind-altering substances were evaluated negatively. No significant differences were observed between genders or across age groups. These findings suggest that treatment attitudes may be shaped not only by perceived effectiveness, but also by beliefs about how different treatments work. Keywords: anxiety, depression, treatment attitudes, psychological treatment, pharmacological treatment, alternative treatments","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Arnar Óli Sigþórsson 2001-","Róbert Orri Ragnarsson 2002-"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Háskólinn í Reykjavík"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-06-02T09:57:40Z","date_published":"2026-06-02T09:57:40Z","updated_at":"2026-07-27T20:36:46Z","subjects":["Sálfræði","Kvíði","Þunglyndi","Viðhorf","Sálfræðiþjónusta","Lyfjameðferð","Óhefðbundnar lækningar","Psychology","Anxiety","Depression, Mental","Attitude (Psychology)","Chemotherapy","Alternative medicine"],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53442","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Háskólinn í Reykjavík"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Arnar Óli Sigþórsson 2001-","Róbert Orri Ragnarsson 2002-"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-06-02T09:57:36Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2026-06-02T09:57:36Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2026-06-02T09:57:40Z"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Sálfræði","Kvíði","Þunglyndi","Viðhorf","Sálfræðiþjónusta","Lyfjameðferð","Óhefðbundnar lækningar","Psychology","Anxiety","Depression, Mental","Attitude (Psychology)","Chemotherapy","Alternative medicine"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53442"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders, yet many individuals do not seek or remain engaged in treatment. Public attitudes toward treatment may influence help-seeking and adherence. This study examined attitudes toward psychological, pharmacological, and alternative treatments for anxiety and depression, and explored differences in attitudes across gender and age groups. A total of 163 participants of ages 16 or older completed a questionnaire distributed via social media. Results indicated more favorable attitudes toward talk-based therapy, which was perceived as the most effective treatment across domains, including symptom reduction and addressing underlying causes. Pharmacological treatment was viewed more ambivalently, with participants recognizing its effectiveness for symptom relief but expressing skepticism about its ability to address root causes. Alternative treatments showed varied acceptance, with meditation and breathing exercises viewed positively, while mind-altering substances were evaluated negatively. No significant differences were observed between genders or across age groups. These findings suggest that treatment attitudes may be shaped not only by perceived effectiveness, but also by beliefs about how different treatments work. Keywords: anxiety, depression, treatment attitudes, psychological treatment, pharmacological treatment, alternative treatments","Kvíði og þunglyndi eru meðal algengustu geðraskana heims, en margir einstaklingar leita sér ekki aðstoðar eða hætta snemma í meðferð. Viðhorf almennings til meðferða getur haft áhrif á hjálparleit, meðferðarheldni og væntingar til árangurs. Markmið rannsóknarinnar var að kanna viðhorf til sálfræðilegrar meðferðar, lyfjameðferðar og óhefðbundinna meðferðarúrræða við kvíða og þunglyndi, ásamt því að skoða hvort viðhorf væru ólík eftir kyni og aldri. Þátttakendur voru 163 einstaklingar, 16 ára og eldri, sem svöruðu rafrænni könnun sem dreift var á samfélagsmiðlum. Niðurstöður sýndu að þátttakendur voru bjartsýnastir í garð viðtalsmeðferðar, sem var metin áhrifaríkasta meðferðarleiðin á flestum sviðum. Viðhorf til lyfjameðferðar voru breytilegri; þátttakendur töldu hana geta gagnast við að draga úr einkennum en síður við að takast á við rót vandans. Viðhorf til óhefðbundinna meðferðarúrræða voru breytileg. Hugleiðsla og öndunaræfingar voru almennt metnar á jákvæðan hátt, en hugvíkkandi efni á neikvæðan hátt. Enginn marktækur munur fannst milli kynja og aldurshópa. Heilt yfir benda niðurstöðurnar til þess að viðhorf til meðferðar mótist meðal annars af hugmyndum fólks um virkni mismunandi meðferða. Aukin fræðsla um eðli og árangur meðferða gæti stuðlað að aukinni hjálparleit, meiri þátttöku í meðferðum og bættum meðferðarárangri. Lykilorð: kvíði, þunglyndi, viðhorf til meðferða, sálfræðileg meðferð, lyfjameðferð, óhefðbundin meðferðarúrræði"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Public Attitudes Toward Psychological, Pharmacological and Alternative Treatments for Anxiety and Depression"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Háskólinn í Reykjavík"],"dc:creator":["Arnar Óli Sigþórsson 2001-","Róbert Orri Ragnarsson 2002-"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-06-02T09:57:36Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-06-02T09:57:36Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-06-02T09:57:40Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders, yet many individuals do not seek or remain engaged in treatment. Public attitudes toward treatment may influence help-seeking and adherence. This study examined attitudes toward psychological, pharmacological, and alternative treatments for anxiety and depression, and explored differences in attitudes across gender and age groups. A total of 163 participants of ages 16 or older completed a questionnaire distributed via social media. Results indicated more favorable attitudes toward talk-based therapy, which was perceived as the most effective treatment across domains, including symptom reduction and addressing underlying causes. Pharmacological treatment was viewed more ambivalently, with participants recognizing its effectiveness for symptom relief but expressing skepticism about its ability to address root causes. Alternative treatments showed varied acceptance, with meditation and breathing exercises viewed positively, while mind-altering substances were evaluated negatively. No significant differences were observed between genders or across age groups. These findings suggest that treatment attitudes may be shaped not only by perceived effectiveness, but also by beliefs about how different treatments work. Keywords: anxiety, depression, treatment attitudes, psychological treatment, pharmacological treatment, alternative treatments","Kvíði og þunglyndi eru meðal algengustu geðraskana heims, en margir einstaklingar leita sér ekki aðstoðar eða hætta snemma í meðferð. Viðhorf almennings til meðferða getur haft áhrif á hjálparleit, meðferðarheldni og væntingar til árangurs. Markmið rannsóknarinnar var að kanna viðhorf til sálfræðilegrar meðferðar, lyfjameðferðar og óhefðbundinna meðferðarúrræða við kvíða og þunglyndi, ásamt því að skoða hvort viðhorf væru ólík eftir kyni og aldri. Þátttakendur voru 163 einstaklingar, 16 ára og eldri, sem svöruðu rafrænni könnun sem dreift var á samfélagsmiðlum. Niðurstöður sýndu að þátttakendur voru bjartsýnastir í garð viðtalsmeðferðar, sem var metin áhrifaríkasta meðferðarleiðin á flestum sviðum. Viðhorf til lyfjameðferðar voru breytilegri; þátttakendur töldu hana geta gagnast við að draga úr einkennum en síður við að takast á við rót vandans. Viðhorf til óhefðbundinna meðferðarúrræða voru breytileg. Hugleiðsla og öndunaræfingar voru almennt metnar á jákvæðan hátt, en hugvíkkandi efni á neikvæðan hátt. Enginn marktækur munur fannst milli kynja og aldurshópa. Heilt yfir benda niðurstöðurnar til þess að viðhorf til meðferðar mótist meðal annars af hugmyndum fólks um virkni mismunandi meðferða. Aukin fræðsla um eðli og árangur meðferða gæti stuðlað að aukinni hjálparleit, meiri þátttöku í meðferðum og bættum meðferðarárangri. Lykilorð: kvíði, þunglyndi, viðhorf til meðferða, sálfræðileg meðferð, lyfjameðferð, óhefðbundin meðferðarúrræði"],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53442"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:subject":["Sálfræði","Kvíði","Þunglyndi","Viðhorf","Sálfræðiþjónusta","Lyfjameðferð","Óhefðbundnar lækningar","Psychology","Anxiety","Depression, Mental","Attitude (Psychology)","Chemotherapy","Alternative medicine"],"dc:title":["Public Attitudes Toward Psychological, Pharmacological and Alternative Treatments for Anxiety and Depression"],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T20:36:46Z"}