Study Finds Women and Young People Most Affected by Climate Anxiety

A new meta-analysis by researchers from Leipzig University and TU Dortmund University has revealed that women and youths are the most likely to be affected by climate anxiety. The research, published last month in the Global Environmental Change journal, consolidates research from around the globe on climate change's impact on the human psyche and offers the most comprehensive overview yet of how climate anxiety affects people across different groups.

The research brought together 94 original studies encompassing 170,747 individuals from 27 nations. Scientists compared climate concern with 33 other variables such as age, gender, political party, emotional health, and environmentalism. They discovered strong trends that showed youth, females, political liberals, and individuals constantly exposed to global warming impacts or the media reporting of global warming were more likely to have higher levels of climate distress.

Climate anxiety has been described as a state of worry, fear, or emotional distress in itself related to climate change and associated consequences. The assessment confirms this is an independent psychological disorder distinct from common anxiety disorders and that it is increasingly becoming more common as experience and familiarity with climate change increase worldwide.

Individuals who have realized the severity of climate change, its origin, and the scientific consensus regarding its hazards were more inclined towards being anxious. The study also reveals, though, that climate anxiety has a complicated association with behaviour. Although it is detrimental to wellbeing in most instances, it has been proved to be connected with greater levels of practice of pro-environmental activities—both individual and collective—and greater backing for climate policy.

The research demonstrates that the procedure employed during the measurement of climate anxiety is an indicator of strength in reported associations. High-quality research was likely to feature reliable and strong patterns. The findings respond to the need for standardized measures for climate anxiety assessment across populations and contexts.

The majority of the studies examined had been carried out in the Global North, i.e., Europe, North America, and Australia. However, researchers did say that individuals in the Global South—territories more directly affected by the immediate and longer-term impacts of climate change—might have different patterns of climate anxiety that need to be investigated. More work is needed to gain a better understanding of how climate anxiety behaves in these parts of the world, which are represented poorly in world psychological literature.

The findings indicate that climate anxiety will probably decrease psychological well-being, but it can be a force for change if positive. The research offers proof that political, media, and corporate elites understand the problem and focus efforts on measures that enable citizens to channel their concern into positive environmental action. It can manifest as education, affordable mental health services, and community programs facilitating people to feel part of solutions to climate change.

The meta-analysis would be brought up to date on a regular basis, with consideration of the dynamic nature of such research. Additional arenas are also yet to be investigated by researchers, including the climate awareness-anxiety level association, which remains undetermined. Researchers opine that specialized intervention must be provided to those groups more likely to be susceptible to climate anxiety—more so, youth and those who work with or encounter climate issues on a regular basis in their lives or livelihood.

The research highlights the psychological effects of the climate crisis and demands greater insight into its social and mental health effects. It also indicates the need to present climate communication in a constructive, informative, and action-initiating manner that is not fearful but does not silence the public either.

The study has broader policy and education system implications that have to start grappling with the mental health impacts of climate change as part of their climate adaptation efforts. As climate change comes to affect everyday lives, its emotional and psychological impacts will need to take center stage in the construction of resilient communities.

Source and Credits:
Original research by TU Dortmund University and Leipzig University. Meta-analysis in Global Environmental Change (2025) by Clara Kühner et al. DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2025.103015. Edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin.