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The Effect of Subjective Social Disconnectedness on Climate Change Anxiety

35 Pages Posted: 29 Apr 2022 Publication Status: Preprint

See all articles by Kiffer G. Card

Kiffer G. Card

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Carly Marshall

British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Niloufar Aran

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

A Bratu

University of British Columbia (UBC) - British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS

Kalysha Closson

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Gina Martin

Athabasca University

Carmen Logi

University of Toronto

Maya Gislason

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Angel Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Tim K. Takaro

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Faculty of Health Sciences

Robert S. Hogg

Simon Fraser University

Abstract

Climate change is contributing to mental health challenges globally and there is a need to identify pathways that can mitigate these effects. Relational factors that are linked with higher resilience and improved mental health are understudied in relation to climate distress. We examine the association between social (dis)connection and climate change anxiety among a sample of individuals, aged 16+, living in British Columbia, Canada. Cross-sectional online surveys administered between May and December 2021 were conducted with a sample of participants recruited via online social media advertisements. We conducted multivariable linear regression analyses to assess associations between (add what were the independent variables) and climate change anxiety and mediation analyses to assess if generalized psychological distress mediated these pathways. Findings revealed that a) subjective social disconnection was associated with greater climate change anxiety, and this effect was mediated by higher levels of generalized psychological distress. Dominance analyses revealed social disconnection and political orientation as key contributors to climate change anxiety. We conclude that building resilience through supportive social networks and communities may mitigate the harmful effects of climate change anxiety. Therapeutic interventions may benefit from group-based and community-building modalities. Further research on such interventions is needed.

Keywords: Climate Change, Anxiety, Non-specific Psychological Distress, Subjective Social Disconnection

Suggested Citation

Card, Kiffer G. and Marshall, Carly and Aran, Niloufar and Bratu, A and Closson, Kalysha and Martin, Gina and Logi, Carmen and Gislason, Maya and Kennedy, Angel and Takaro, Tim K. and Hogg, Robert S., The Effect of Subjective Social Disconnectedness on Climate Change Anxiety. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4097132 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4097132

Kiffer G. Card (Contact Author)

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Carly Marshall

British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS ( email )

Canada

Niloufar Aran

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

A Bratu

University of British Columbia (UBC) - British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS ( email )

608-1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, V6Z 1Y6
Canada

Kalysha Closson

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Gina Martin

Athabasca University ( email )

Edmonton, T6H 2H2
Canada

Carmen Logi

University of Toronto ( email )

105 St George Street
Toronto, M5S 3G8
Canada

Maya Gislason

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Angel Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Tim K. Takaro

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Faculty of Health Sciences ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Robert S. Hogg

Simon Fraser University ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada
778.782.7629 (Phone)

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