A Systematic Review of Anxiety and Gender Differences among Employed Adults in the Workplace

Abstract

One of the most prevalent mental illnesses worldwide is anxiety, with a particularly high prevalence observed among working adults. Gender plays a vital role in the prevalence, manifestation, and effects of workplace-related anxiety, yet systematic studies that disaggregate findings by gender remain limited. This systematic review compares existing empirical evidence on gender disparities in anxiety among working adults (published between 2000 and 2025), focusing on prevalence rates, workplace-related risk factors, and the extent to which gender moderates or mediates these relationships. The selected quantitative observational studies were reviewed based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines and a PICOS-based eligibility framework, covering diverse occupational sectors and countries. Findings indicates that the anxiety was consistently higher among women, ranging approximately from 25% to 40% across included studies, compared to 20% to 35% among men. Significant workplace stressors associated with anxiety include shift work, high job demands and work–family conflict were constantly associated with augmented anxiety levels. In several studies, gender moderated or mediated the association between these stressors and anxiety due to both biological susceptibility and socio-cultural expectations. The overall risk of bias ranged from low to moderate. This review highlights the necessity of developing gender-sensitive workplace mental health policies, prioritizing at-risk groups, and conducting further research that considers gender as a dynamic variable. These findings have important implications for organizational leadership, HR policies, and global occupational health strategies.