Using clinical science to effectively tackle code review anxiety (StaffPlus)

Code review anxiety is common and affects developers of all experience levels (1-65 years of coding experience), including staff engineers

Key cognitive biases that trigger code review anxiety:

• Low anxiety self-efficacy (feeling unable to manage anxiety)
• Elevated cost bias (overestimating negative consequences)
• Elevated probability bias (overestimating likelihood of bad outcomes)

Not talking about code review anxiety makes experiences feel invisible and increases feelings of isolation, despite it being a widespread issue

A single cognitive behavioral workshop can effectively:

• Reduce code review anxiety
• Increase self-efficacy
• Improve self-compassion
• Decrease avoidance behaviors

Four-step approach to tackle code review anxiety:

1. Assess and identify anxiety symptoms
2. Reduce physiological arousal
3. Challenge negative biased thoughts
4. Reduce avoidance through proactive engagement

Anxiety isn’t merit-based - having solid code doesn’t prevent anxiety, and feeling anxious doesn’t indicate incompetence

Simply focusing on improving coding abilities without addressing anxiety is ineffective for reducing code review anxiety

Opening dialogue about code review anxiety within teams can have significant positive impact and normalize the experience

A free self-guided workbook is available to help individuals and teams work through code review anxiety

Avoiding code reviews due to anxiety prevents accessing benefits like improved code quality, knowledge transfer, and community building