Cebeci, F., Reyes, M. E. S., Innocenti, M., Kochuchakkalackal, G., Jeremie, W., Buvar, A., Atak, I., Karaman, M., Dinçer, R., Nalbantçılar, S. C., Mammadov, E., Cadeddu, C., Pacquing, M. C. T., Ágoston, C., Santarelli, G., Cayubit, R. F. O., Kuttiankal, T., Uzun, K., Trinidad, K. K. V., . . . Artan, T. (2025). Eco-Anxiety Without Borders: a Cross-National study on climate perceptions, beliefs about government climate action, and climate concern. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 72(3), 657–667. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640251378601

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.