The Effect of Subjective Social Disconnectedness on Climate Change Anxiety

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