Eco-Anxiety Without Borders: A Cross-National Study on Climate Perceptions, Beliefs About Government Climate Action, and Climate Concern
International Journal of Social Psychiatry, vol.72, no.3, pp.657-667, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 72 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1177/00207640251378601
- Journal Name: International Journal of Social Psychiatry
- Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Public Affairs Index, Social Sciences Abstracts
- Page Numbers: pp.657-667
- Keywords: beliefs about government action, climate change perception, cross-national study, eco-anxiety, eco-distress, environmental psychology
- Open Archive Collection: Article
- Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Background: Eco-anxiety has become a prominent emotional response to the global climate crisis, yet there is a lack of empirical research examining its prevalence and correlates across diverse cultural and national contexts. Objective: This study aimed to investigate levels of eco-anxiety and its associations with age, perceived knowledge, climate risk perception, and beliefs about governmental climate action across participants from six countries. Results: Data were collected from 2,206 participants across India, Italy, the Philippines, Türkiye, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hungary. Statistically significant cross-national differences were found in eco-anxiety, perceived knowledge, climate risk perception, and beliefs about government action. Italian participants reported the highest levels of eco-anxiety, while Hungarian participants reported the lowest. Correlational analyses showed that eco-anxiety was positively associated with climate risk perception and perceived knowledge, but negatively associated with age and beliefs in government action. Discussion: The findings reveal that eco-anxiety is shaped by both cognitive and sociopolitical factors. Risk perception and climate knowledge appear to intensify emotional responses, while belief in government action may serve as a mitigating factor. Age-related differences suggest that younger individuals are more emotionally impacted by climate concerns. Conclusion: This study underscores the need for culturally sensitive public policy and mental health interventions to address the psychological dimensions of the climate crisis.