Originally published in 1980, this title builds on the first edition which provided a comprehensive review and evaluation of theory and research on anxiety at the time. In the time between publications there had been many studies of anxiety phenomena and substantial progress in our conceptual understanding of the nature of anxiety and its measurement. The author incorporates those advances in empirical knowledge and new theoretical insights into this second edition.

The most important and well-documented empirical findings in anxiety research are emphasized throughout the book, but attention is also called to unresolved theoretical issues and problem areas of the time where there was urgent need for additional research. Although much research has been done since, the authoritative analysis of anxiety phenomena that is presented in this book will still be of interest to medical, social and behavioral scientists and personality theorists, and to mental health workers of all disciplines who are engaged in clinical work with emotionally disturbed persons.