Gender Differences in Climate Change Anxiety

30 Pages Posted: 26 Jul 2022

See all articles by Kalysha Closson

Kalysha Closson

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Kiffer G. Card

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Carmen Logi

University of Toronto

Niloufar Aran

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Abhay Singh Sachal

University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy

Andreea Bratu

University of British Columbia (UBC) - School of Population and Public Health

Carly Marshall

BC Centre for Disease Control

Alexi T. Hu

University of Victoria

Tim K. Takaro

Simon Fraser University (SFU) - Faculty of Health Sciences

Angel Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Susan Clayton

College of Wooster

Hasina Samji

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Gina Martin

Athabasca University

Maya Gislason

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

Robert S. Hogg

Simon Fraser University

Abstract

Background: Globally, the impacts of climate change disproportionately impacts women and gender minorities. However, few studies have examined gender differences in people’s anxiety related to climate change.

Methods: This study aimed to test for gender differences in climate change anxiety (CCA) among women, men, and non-binary people living in British Columbia, Canada. Between May and December 2021, participants were recruited using online advertisements.

Results: Among 1,260 participants, 21.9% (n=138/631) of men, 49.5% (n=257/519) of women, and 54.9% (n=28/51) of non-binary participants had medium/high CCA scores. Men were notably less likely to report difficulty concentrating (p < 0.001), crying (p < 0.001), or responding to climate change by writing down and analyzing their thoughts (p < 0.001). Demographically-adjusted multivariable models showed higher CCA among women (aOR = 2.17 [1.65-2.85]) and non-binary participants (aOR = 2.70, [1.43-5.13), relative to men. When also controlling for the effect of generalized psychological distress, the elevated effect among women remained significant (aOR = 1.52, [1.14-2.04]), while the effect among of non-binary participants became non-significant (aOR = 1.67, [0.86-3.26]).

Conclusions: Despite differences in generalized psychological distress and gender-related measurement challenges, women and non-binary people likely experience a disproportionate burden of climate-related anxiety.

Note:

Funding Information: This work was made possible by RSH’s CIHR Foundation Gran

Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Approval Statement: All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Each study conducted as part of the BC-CDMS was reviewed and approved by the research ethics board at Simon Fraser University (Protocol #30000309).

Keywords: Gender differences, climate change, anxiety, climate change anxiety

Suggested Citation

Closson, Kalysha and Card, Kiffer G. and Logi, Carmen and Aran, Niloufar and Sachal, Abhay Singh and Bratu, Andreea and Marshall, Carly and Hu, Alexi T. and Takaro, Tim K. and Kennedy, Angel and Clayton, Susan and Samji, Hasina and Martin, Gina and Gislason, Maya and Hogg, Robert S., Gender Differences in Climate Change Anxiety. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4168583 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4168583

Kalysha Closson (Contact Author)

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Kiffer G. Card

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Carmen Logi

University of Toronto ( email )

105 St George Street
Toronto, M5S 3G8
Canada

Niloufar Aran

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Abhay Singh Sachal

University of Toronto - Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy ( email )

Andreea Bratu

University of British Columbia (UBC) - School of Population and Public Health ( email )

Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada

Carly Marshall

BC Centre for Disease Control ( email )

655 W 12th Avenue
Vancouver, V5Z 4R4
Canada

Alexi T. Hu

University of Victoria ( email )

Tim K. Takaro

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

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S6
Canada

Angel Kennedy

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Susan Clayton

College of Wooster ( email )

Wooster, OH 44691
United States

Hasina Samji

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
Canada

Gina Martin

Athabasca University ( email )

Edmonton, T6H 2H2
Canada

Maya Gislason

Simon Fraser University (SFU) ( email )

8888 University Drive
Burnaby, V5A1S6
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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