Climate Change Anxiety Symptoms in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

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Abstract

Objectives: Climate change anxiety, or eco-anxiety, is an emerging mental health concern worldwide, particularly in regions heavily impacted by environmental and socio-political challenges. This study aimed to explore the prevalence, correlates and underlying dimensions of climate change anxiety among residents of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI). Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted online from July 2nd to September 29th, 2024, across three main governorates of the KRI: Erbil, Sulaymaniyah and Duhok, using convenience sampling. The questionnaire included two parts: demographic data and the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS). Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Pearson correlation, were conducted using IBM SPSS Version 26. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 385 participants were enrolled in the study. Eco-anxiety levels were categorized as mild (38%), moderate (43%) and severe (19%). Significant associations were observed between eco-anxiety levels and type of residence (p = 0.021) and city of residence (p = 0.006). PCA identified four dimensions of eco-anxiety, explaining 80.613% of the variance. Strong correlations were found between the dimensions of the HEAS, with the highest correlation observed between behavioral symptoms and anxiety about personal impact (r = 0.854, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The study highlights that most participants experienced moderate levels of eco-anxiety. It is recommended that healthcare providers and policymakers prioritize strategies to address eco-anxiety and its impacts, particularly in urban areas and among vulnerable populations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

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