Reviewed by Yehuda Roberts
April 27, 2024
Causes of Anxiety in Young Adults
Unmask the causes of anxiety in young adults, from social media to academic pressure, and ways to cope.
Understanding Anxiety in Young Adults
A crucial step in addressing the causes of anxiety in young adults is to understand what anxiety is and to distinguish between natural anxiety and an anxiety disorder.
Nature of Anxiety
Anxiety is the body’s response to real or perceived danger. It's a natural process that everyone experiences at one time or another. It can manifest as a racing heart, sweaty palms, or a feeling of uneasiness. These symptoms are part of the body's "fight-or-flight" response, which is designed to prepare us for potential threats.
Anxiety becomes problematic when it interferes with daily life or causes significant distress. In such cases, it may be indicative of an anxiety disorder. The difference between feeling anxious and having an anxiety disorder is significant and important to understand in order to identify and address the issue appropriately. Healthline
Anxiety vs Anxiety Disorder
While it's common to feel anxious in certain situations, an anxiety disorder involves more than temporary worry or fear. For a person with an anxiety disorder, the anxiety does not go away and can get worse over time. The symptoms can interfere with daily activities such as job performance, school work, and relationships.
There are several types of anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and various phobia-related disorders. These disorders share features of excessive fear and anxiety and related behavioral disturbances.
Research indicates there are hereditary links to anxiety. For example, certain chromosomal characteristics are linked to phobias and panic disorder. More recent research has shown that social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are all linked to specific genes.
However, genetics are only part of the story. Most researchers conclude that anxiety is not only genetic but can also be influenced by environmental factors. This underscores the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental influences in anxiety disorders.
In conclusion, understanding the nature of anxiety and the difference between natural anxiety and an anxiety disorder is a necessary foundation for uncovering the root causes of anxiety in young adults. This understanding can guide potential treatments and interventions, ultimately leading to improved mental health outcomes.
Impact of Social Media on Anxiety
One of the primary causes of anxiety in young adults that is increasingly coming to light is the role of social media. The way social media is used, whether actively or passively, can significantly impact a user's mental health, particularly in terms of anxiety and communication capacity.
Active vs Passive Social Media Use
Active social media use involves activities such as posting, commenting, and interacting with others, while passive social media use involves activities like scrolling and reading posts without engaging. According to a study on NCBI, active social media use was negatively associated with social anxiety, while passive social media use was positively associated with social anxiety.
Notably, the study found that active social media use may reduce social anxiety by positively mediating communication capacity. In contrast, passive social media use may increase social anxiety by negatively impacting communication capacity.
Communication Capacity and Anxiety
The ability to communicate effectively, also known as communication capacity, plays a significant role in anxiety, especially in relation to social media use. As per the NCBI study, active social media use was positively correlated with communication capacity, while passive social media use was negatively correlated with communication capacity.
This suggests that those who actively engage on social media platforms and use them as a tool for communication and connection may experience reduced levels of anxiety. On the other hand, those who predominantly use social media passively, consuming content without engaging in interactions, may experience increased levels of anxiety.
Another alarming piece of data is that recent studies have noted a significant uptick in depression and suicidal thoughts over the past several years for teens, especially those who spend multiple hours a day using screens. One study found that 48 percent of teens who spend five hours per day on an electronic device have at least one suicide risk factor, compared to 33 percent of teens who spend two hours a day on an electronic device.
This reinforces the importance of mindful social media use and improving communication skills to mitigate the potential negative effects of social media on anxiety in young adults.
Influence of External Factors on Anxiety
In understanding the causes of anxiety in young adults, it's critical to consider the influence of external factors. These factors, which often emanate from an individual's environment, can significantly contribute to the onset and exacerbation of anxiety symptoms. Two of the most prevalent external sources of anxiety among young adults are academic pressure and social stress.
Academic Pressure
Academic pressure, as defined by the NCBI, refers to the tension, discomfort, and other emotions caused by the pressure from school, family, and society in the learning process. This pressure can lead to negative emotions, deviant behaviors, and an increased risk of problem behavior in teenagers.
A study conducted between 1991 and 2022 reviewed 52 studies globally and found a positive association between academic pressure or the proximity to exams and mental health issues among young people, with 48 of the studies showing this correlation [3].
The report highlighted that mental health-related hospital admissions for Canadian adolescents were highest during the periods of January to April and October to November, coinciding with the academic calendar, and lowest during school closure periods in July, August, and December. Stress-related emergency admissions for teenagers were also reported to be highest during term-time in England and lowest during holidays [3].
Moreover, suicide attempts by adolescents were less frequent during non-school months of June, July, and August, according to two US studies assessing hospital admission rates throughout the year, indicating a potential correlation between academic pressure and mental health issues in young adults [3].
Social Stress
Similarly, social stress plays a significant role in the development of anxiety disorders among young adults. This type of stress often emanates from an individual's interactions with their peers and can be exacerbated by factors such as bullying, social exclusion, and peer pressure.
While social stress can be a normal part of adolescent life, excessive or chronic social stress can lead to increased anxiety levels and the development of anxiety disorders. This is particularly true for individuals who lack adequate coping mechanisms or social support systems.
As with academic pressure, addressing social stress requires a multi-faceted approach that includes interventions at the individual, family, and community levels. This can include strategies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, stress management techniques, and the promotion of healthy social environments in schools and other youth-oriented settings.
In conclusion, both academic pressure and social stress are prominent external factors contributing to anxiety in young adults. By understanding and addressing these factors, it's possible to reduce anxiety levels among young adults and promote overall mental health and well-being.
Coping Strategies for Anxiety
Recognizing the causes of anxiety in young adults is essential, but it's equally important to understand effective coping strategies. These methods can help manage anxiety symptoms and improve quality of life. This section will discuss two key coping strategies: exercise and physical activity, and socialization and support systems.
Exercise and Physical Activity
Physical activity is a potent tool in the arsenal against anxiety. Exercise, such as low-impact activities like walking, yoga, and tai chi, can help relieve anxiety by directing focus on the body rather than the mind, reducing stress and managing anxiety symptoms. Staying active, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep are effective ways to stave off anxiety symptoms, with studies highlighting the positive impact of exercise on managing anxiety.
Socialization and Support Systems
Social connections can also play a crucial role in managing anxiety. Socialization can help manage anxiety by relieving stress, encouraging feelings of laughter and togetherness, and decreasing loneliness, with research showing that social connectedness can increase resilience to stress.
Furthermore, positive coping skills and functional competence act as buffers against the negative association between anxiety and career satisfaction. Individuals with better coping skills and functional competence reported greater career satisfaction, even if they had high levels of anxiety.
Autonomy and relatedness behaviors from friends at age 13 predicted both positive coping skills and functional competence in young adults at age 24. This suggests that positive peer relationships that promote independence and positive coping may lead to greater career satisfaction even for highly anxious individuals.
These strategies are not exhaustive, and what works for one person may not work for another. It's essential to explore different coping strategies and find what works best for each individual. Consultation with a healthcare professional is also recommended for anyone dealing with severe or persistent anxiety symptoms.
Genetic and Environmental Factors in Anxiety
While understanding the nature of anxiety and its impact on young adults, it's crucial to delve into the root causes. These triggers are often a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic Links to Anxiety
Decades of research have explored the hereditary connections in anxiety. For instance, a study from 2002 noted that certain chromosomal characteristics are linked to phobias and panic disorder [1]. This indicates that our genetic makeup can predispose us to certain forms of anxiety.
More recent research has shed light on specific genes that could be linked to the development of anxiety disorders. A 2015 study found that the RBFOX1 gene might make someone more likely to develop generalized anxiety disorder. This finding is significant as it points to a clear genetic link to anxiety disorders.
In 2016, a review showed that social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder are all linked to specific genes, highlighting the genetic component of anxiety disorders [1].
Further, research from 2017 concluded that generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) can be inherited, with GAD and associated conditions being linked to various genes. This emphasizes the hereditary aspect of anxiety disorders.
Environmental Triggers
Beyond the genetic links, anxiety disorders in young adults are also influenced by environmental factors. These could range from stressful life events, traumatic experiences, to ongoing medical conditions.
Environmental triggers could also include aspects related to one's lifestyle, such as poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and substance misuse. These factors can exacerbate anxiety symptoms and may even trigger the onset of an anxiety disorder in those who are genetically predisposed.
Most researchers conclude that anxiety is genetic but can also be influenced by environmental factors, underscoring the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental influences in anxiety disorders.
This dual influence of genetics and environment in the causes of anxiety in young adults underscores the need for comprehensive approaches in managing anxiety disorders. It's crucial to consider both genetic and environmental factors when diagnosing and treating anxiety to ensure the best possible outcomes for individuals.
Academic Pressure and Mental Health
The relationship between academic pressure and mental health in young adults is a critical area of study, given the rising incidence of mental health disorders among this demographic. The causes of anxiety in young adults can be multifaceted, but academic stress is often a significant factor contributing to psychological distress and other mental health problems.
Academic Stress and Psychological Distress
A global review of 52 studies conducted between 1991 and 2022 found a positive association between academic pressure or the proximity to exams and mental health issues among young people [3]. Out of these studies, 48 showed this correlation, suggesting a significant relationship between academic pressures and mental health problems in adolescents.
Moreover, eight out of 20 studies reported a link between academic pressure and psychosomatic symptoms in young individuals. These symptoms, which are physical manifestations of psychological distress, can include headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue, further emphasizing the impact of academic stress on the overall well-being of young adults.
It's important to note, however, that the causality between exposure to high levels of academic pressure and mental health issues was inconclusive due to the cross-sectional nature of most studies.
The Effects of Academic Pressure on Mental Health
The report highlighted some additional crucial findings that point to a potential correlation between academic pressure and mental health issues in young adults.
Firstly, mental health-related hospital admissions for Canadian adolescents were found to be highest during the periods of January to April and October to November, coinciding with the academic calendar. The admissions were lowest during school closure periods in July, August, and December. Similarly, stress-related emergency admissions for teenagers were reported to be highest during term-time in England and lowest during holidays.
Furthermore, two US studies assessing hospital admission rates throughout the year found that suicide attempts by adolescents were less frequent during non-school months of June, July, and August.
Finally, adolescents facing higher levels of academic pressure were more likely to experience mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts, indicating the potential detrimental impact of academic stress on the mental well-being of young individuals.
While further research is needed to establish causality, these findings underscore the importance of addressing academic pressure as a potential factor in the mental health of young adults. Equipping young adults with effective coping strategies and providing them with adequate support can help mitigate the effects of academic stress and promote their mental well-being.
References
[1]: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/is-anxiety-genetic
[2]: https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/17/12/social-media-and-teen-anxiety
[3]: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2023/aug/link-found-between-academic-pressure-and-mental-health-problems-adolescence
[4]: https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/how-to-cope-with-anxiety
