The dual structure of anxiety: reconciling general and specific approaches

Frontiers in Psychology. 2026. Vol. 17. Article 1774838.

Alenina E., Kosonogov V.

Anxiety is conceptualized variously as a stable trait, a clinical disorder, or a domain-specific worry, yet it remains unclear whether these forms represent a unified construct or distinct phenomena. This theoretical article proposes a dual-structure model, positing that anxiety operates through a general vulnerability factor (aligned with trait anxiety/neuroticism) alongside orthogonal, domain-specific components (e.g., math, social, spatial anxiety) that retain unique predictive power for performance and distress. We review conceptual distinctions and statistical frameworks to argue that domain-specific anxieties are not mere artifacts of high general anxiety but reflect functionally independent worry systems. Methodological fragmentation in current measurement tools impedes testing this model. We advocate for an integrative, modular instrument - potentially leveraging computerized adaptive testing - to simultaneously assess general predisposition, clinical severity, and context-specific worries. Clarifying the interplay between general and specific anxiety components may refine thresholds for clinical significance and improve context-sensitive interventions, particularly in educational settings.

Keywords: anxiety, личностная тревожность, general anxiety, specific anxiety, специфическая тревожность

Publication based on the results of: Mental health research: behavioral and neurophysiological foundations (2025)