Anxiety and the Modern World: Psychological Insights into Coping Mechanisms

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are among the most prevalent mental-health conditions worldwide and have shown rising public-health importance in recent decades, amplified by global stresses such as the COVID-19 pandemic, social media proliferation, and socioeconomic instability. This paper synthesizes epidemiological data, meta-analytic findings on treatment effectiveness, and recent research on modern stressors and coping strategies to provide an integrated psychological account of anxiety in the modern world. Using a targeted literature review and secondary analysis of authoritative prevalence statistics (WHO, GBD, NIMH) we document prevalence patterns, risk correlates (age, sex, digital stressors), and empirically supported coping mechanisms (cognitive-behavioral strategies, problem-focused coping, social support) versus maladaptive responses (avoidance, substance use, rumination). Results show substantial variability in prevalence by region and age group (global point prevalence ≈ 4.4%; selected national past-year estimates substantially higher), a documented ~25% rise in anxiety/depression during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, robust evidence supporting cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and digitally delivered interventions, and mixed evidence for social-media effects that depends on patterns of use. We conclude with recommendations for clinicians, policy-makers, educators, and researchers emphasizing scalable psychosocial interventions, prevention through mental-health literacy and digital-wellness programs, and future research priorities.