Globally, women are approximately twice as likely to experience anxiety disorders in comparison to men (Remes et al., 2016).
What is an Anxiety Disorder?
Anxiety disorders encompass a range of mental health conditions characterized by excessive fear, stress, or apprehension that significantly disrupt daily functioning. In contrast to normal anxiety, which is a temporary response to stressors, anxiety disorders are persistent and can adversely impact numerous facets of life, including workplace responsibilities, academic achievement, and interpersonal relationships. In more severe instances, individuals may experience acute fear in routine situations, potentially leading to avoidance of social interactions or, in extreme cases, complete withdrawal from public life. Prominent types of anxiety disorders include Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Specific Phobias, Social Phobia, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Factors Contributing to Higher Anxiety in Women
According to the paper titled “A Systematic Review of Reviews on the Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders in Adult Populations” (Remes et al., 2016), women are roughly twice as likely as men to encounter anxiety disorders across diverse cultural and national contexts. This discrepancy may stem from a complex interplay of evolutionary, social, and biological factors. An exploration of these factors highlights several underlying reasons for this phenomenon.
Evolutionary Factors
From an evolutionary perspective, women have historically assumed roles as caregivers, which may have necessitated the development of heightened threat detection capabilities to protect offspring (Kendler et al., 2001). By primarily residing in lower-risk environments while men engaged in hunting and other high-risk activities, women were not inherently conditioned to function optimally in high-pressure situations. Anxiety may serve as a protective mechanism, functioning as a “shield” for the offspring under women’s care.
Social Factors
The societal perception of women as the “weaker sex” frequently places them at risk of victimization, including sexual assault and other violent crimes. Such experiences can contribute significantly to the emergence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other anxiety-associated conditions. Empirical evidence suggests that women experience heightened levels of fear and are more likely to engage in rumination and repetitive negative thinking compared to men, which can subsequently lead to the development of anxiety disorders (McLean & Anderson, 2009).
Furthermore, women are socialized to internalize distress while men are more inclined to externalize their emotional responses (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2012). As women often have fewer social interactions due to being more homebound, this lack of engagement may increase internal psychological pressure, particularly if they have limited opportunities to discuss their concerns with others. Additionally, in highly patriarchal societies, elevated rates of anxiety among women can often be linked to systemic oppression.
Biological Factors
Women encounter fluctuating hormonal levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone, which can induce mood variations and potentially elicit adverse emotional reactions such as anxiety or fear. Monthly menstrual cycles, maternity, and menopause further contribute to their susceptibility to these disorders. Also, research indicates that the heritability of anxiety is estimated at 30 to 40% in women compared to 20 to 30% in men (Kendler et al., 2001).
These factors represent significant considerations that may account for the higher prevalence of anxiety disorders among women in comparison to men.
References
Remes O, Brayne C, van der Linde R, Lafortune L. A systematic review of reviews on the prevalence of anxiety disorders in adult populations. Brain Behav. 2016 Jun 5;6(7):e00497. doi: 10.1002/brb3.497. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27458547/
Kendler KS, Gardner CO, Neale MC, Prescott CA. Genetic risk factors for major depression in men and women: similar or different heritabilities and same or partly distinct genes? Psychol Med. 2001 May;31(4):605-16. doi: 10.1017/s0033291701003907. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11352363/
Nolen-Hoeksema S. Emotion regulation and psychopathology: the role of gender. Annu Rev Clin Psychol. 2012;8:161-87. doi: 10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032511-143109. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22035243/
McLean CP, Anderson ER. Brave men and timid women? A review of the gender differences in fear and anxiety. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009 Aug;29(6):496-505. doi: 10.1016/j.cpr.2009.05.003. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19541399/