Association Between Climate Change Awareness and Depression & Anxiety: Findings from a U.S. Sample

Stanley Nkemjika (), Colvette Brown, Henry Onyeaka, Srikanta Banerjee and Jennifer A. Oliphant
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Stanley Nkemjika: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
Colvette Brown: Department of Population Health, School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
Henry Onyeaka: Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Srikanta Banerjee: College of Health and Health Sciences, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA
Jennifer A. Oliphant: College of Health and Health Sciences, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-20

Abstract: Background: Exploring the connection between climate change awareness and overall well-being is crucial, particularly in how it impacts both the environment and mental health. The mental health consequences of climate change and its awareness have not been thoroughly examined, especially in the U.S. In this study, the relationship between awareness of climate change and depression or anxiety among U.S. adults was explored. Similarly, the role of climate change awareness has not been explored in relation to mental health concerns. Methods: Based on the HINTS-6 dataset, a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute, a variety of statistical methods, including logistic regression models, to examine these relationships were used. This study had a sample size of 6154 participants. A statistically significant level of <0.05 was used. Result: The findings showed that individuals who are aware of climate change have a higher adjusted odds ratio of 1.392 (1.160–1.671) for experiencing depression or anxiety compared to those who are unaware. Additionally, non-heterosexual individuals displayed a significantly higher adjusted odds ratio of 2.691 (CI: 2.125–3.407) for depression or anxiety, underscoring the strong connection between mental health and climate change awareness. Conclusion: This study highlights a notable link between heightened awareness of climate change with depression and anxiety among the U.S. population.

Keywords: climate change awareness; depression; anxiety; sociodemographic attributes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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