Climate Change Anxiety Symptoms in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Shireen Jawhar Mohammed, Sanger Muhammad Ahmed, Muzhda Qasim Qadr, Hazhar Talaat Abubaker Blbas, Ahmed Naif Ali, Abdulmalik Fareeq Saber
Abstract
Objectives: Climate change anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is an emerging mental health concern worldwide, particularly in regions heavily impacted by environmental and socio-political challenges. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, correlates and underlying dimensions of climate change anxiety among residents of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted online from July 2nd to September 29th, 2024, across three main governorates of the KRI: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, using convenience sampling. The questionnaire included two parts: demographic data and the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS). Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation, were conducted using IBM SPSS Version 26. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 385 participants were enrolled in the study. Eco-anxiety levels were categorized as mild (38%), moderate (43%) and severe (19%). Significant associations were observed between eco-anxiety levels and type of residence (p = 0.021) and city of residence (p = 0.006). PCA identified four dimensions of eco-anxiety, explaining 80.613% of the variance. Strong correlations were found between the dimensions of the HEAS, with the highest correlation observed between behavioral symptoms and anxiety about personal impact (r = 0.854, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The study highlights that most participants experienced moderate levels of eco-anxiety. It is recommended that healthcare providers and policymakers prioritize strategies to address eco-anxiety and its impacts, particularly in urban areas and among vulnerable populations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.