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Psychological and Emotional Responses to Climate Change among Young People Worldwide: Differences Associated with Gender, Age, and Country

Author

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  • Susan D. Clayton

    (Psychology Department, College of Wooster, Wooster, OH 44691, USA)

  • Panu Pihkala

    (Faculty of Theology, Helskinki Institute of Sustainability Science, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland)

  • Britt Wray

    (Woods Institute for the Environment and Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA)

  • Elizabeth Marks

    (Psychology Department, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK)

Abstract

Recent research has described concern and anxiety about climate change, especially among young people, but limited data are available looking at the responses of adolescents. Based on further analysis of an existing dataset that obtained survey responses from young people aged 16–25 in 10 different countries, this paper examines differences associated with gender and age, which are important predictors of vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Gender differences were small but consistent, with female respondents expressing greater levels of concern and negative emotions, while male respondents were more optimistic and expressed greater faith in the government. Within this narrow age group, there were small but significant positive correlations showing that concern and negative emotions about climate change were higher among older respondents. There were complex differences among countries; in general, respondents in the Philippines, India, and Nigeria reported a stronger psychological impact of climate change than respondents in the United States and Finland. These results help to describe the extent and patterns of climate anxiety in multiple locations around the world in an age range that is relatively understudied.

Suggested Citation

  • Susan D. Clayton & Panu Pihkala & Britt Wray & Elizabeth Marks, 2023. "Psychological and Emotional Responses to Climate Change among Young People Worldwide: Differences Associated with Gender, Age, and Country," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3540-:d:1068774
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marlis C. Wullenkord & Josephine Tröger & Karen R. S. Hamann & Laura S. Loy & Gerhard Reese, 2021. "Anxiety and climate change: a validation of the Climate Anxiety Scale in a German-speaking quota sample and an investigation of psychological correlates," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 168(3), pages 1-23, October.
    2. Magdalena Budziszewska & Zuzanna Głód, 2021. "“These Are the Very Small Things That Lead Us to That Goal”: Youth Climate Strike Organizers Talk about Activism Empowering and Taxing Experiences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, October.
    3. Tara J. Crandon & James G. Scott & Fiona J. Charlson & Hannah J. Thomas, 2022. "A social–ecological perspective on climate anxiety in children and adolescents," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 12(2), pages 123-131, February.
    4. Alexandre Heeren & Camille Mouguiama-Daouda & Alba Contreras, 2022. "On climate anxiety and the threat it may pose to daily life functioning and adaptation: a study among European and African French-speaking participants," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 173(1), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Daniela Acquadro Maran & Tatiana Begotti, 2021. "Media Exposure to Climate Change, Anxiety, and Efficacy Beliefs in a Sample of Italian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-11, September.
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    2. Leso Munala & Elizabeth M. Allen & Andrew J. Frederick & Anne Ngũnjiri, 2023. "Climate Change, Extreme Weather, and Intimate Partner Violence in East African Agrarian-Based Economies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Ivis García, 2024. "Ease of Recycling in Glendale, Salt Lake City, Utah: Dissecting Recycling Efforts by Household Size, Age, Income and Gender," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Gonca Kurt & Recep Akdur, 2024. "Under What Conditions Does Climate Change Worry Contribute to Climate Action in Turkey: What Moderates This Relationship?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-18, March.
    5. DiMaria, charles-henri, 2024. "Let’s all get pessimistic about ill-being: civil society and political organisation mediations," MPRA Paper 121603, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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