Climate change anxiety and its effect on emotional and functional health: Regional analysis
Muzhda Qasim Qader, Oluwatoyin S. Ayanlade, Ahmed Naif Ali, Eunice Wangui Stuhlhofer, Hazhar Talaat Abubaker Blbas, Abdulmalik Fareeq Saber, Ayansina Ayanlade
Abstract
This study examines the impact of climate change anxiety on emotional and functional health across diverse demographic groups. Using Erbil, Sulaymaniyah, and Duhok as a case study, demographic predictors, and functional impairments, were assessed by the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS). A cross-sectional study was conducted between July 28, 2024, and January 28, 2025, in the three main cities of the Kurdistan Region, using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), translated into Kurdish and Arabic. The tool measured cognitive-emotional and functional impairment domains. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 29. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were used to examine associations and predictors of climate anxiety. The results show that cognitive-emotional factors significantly predicted functional impairment, explaining 70.3 % of the variance, with a strong correlation (r = 0.838). The findings suggest that climate change anxiety negatively affects emotional and functional well-being, particularly among older individuals, urban residents, and those in financially precarious situations. This study concludes that high levels of climate anxiety are influenced by age, geography, and housing. Interventions should promote resilience, awareness, and sustainable urban planning. Integrated policies and further research are essential to address these challenges.