Climate Change Perception and Anxiety Level among Young Adults

Objective: This study aimed to analyse the relationship between climate change perception and anxiety levels among young adults. It specifically assessed correlations in the overall sample and within subgroups by gender, while also exploring differences in perception and anxiety levels between males and females. Method: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed with a sample of 116 adults. Climate change perception was measured using the Climate Change Perception Questionnaire developed by Himalaya Tiwari and Balbinder Singh. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, as described in the British Journal of Medical Psychology. Data analysis methods included the use of correlation coefficients to evaluate the relationship between climate change perception and anxiety levels, and independent samples t-tests to explore gender differences. Findings: A weak positive correlation was observed between climate change perception and anxiety levels among young adults. Gender-specific analysis showed a weak negative correlation between these variables among males, while a weak positive correlation was observed among females. No significant differences were found in climate change perception scores between males and females, nor were there significant gender differences in anxiety levels. These findings suggest that young adults’ perception of climate change is not associated with anxiety, and gender does not significantly influence these variables.