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International Journal of Advanced Research in Education and TechnologY(IJARETY)
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Article

TITLE Climate Anxiety as a Predictor of Emotional Distress among Youth
ABSTRACT Climate change has emerged not only as an environmental crisis but also as a significant psychological concern, particularly among youth. Increasing exposure to climate-related information, uncertainty about the future, and perceived lack of control have contributed to the rise of climate anxiety among young individuals. Climate anxiety refers to persistent worry, fear, and emotional unease related to environmental degradation and climate change. This paper explores climate anxiety as a critical predictor of emotional distress among youth. Emotional distress manifests in various forms such as stress, anxiety, helplessness, fear, and depressive feelings, which can adversely affect psychological well-being, academic functioning, and social relationships. By examining the conceptual and theoretical linkage between climate anxiety and emotional distress, the study highlights how heightened environmental concern may intensify negative emotional experiences among youth. The paper further discusses the vulnerability of young populations to climate-related psychological stressors and emphasizes the need for mental health awareness, supportive educational environments, and policy-level interventions to address climate-induced emotional distress. Understanding climate anxiety as a predictor of emotional distress is essential for developing preventive and supportive strategies aimed at promoting youth mental health in the era of climate change.
AUTHOR Chandrani Sen, Yashavati Associate Professor, Department of psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India Research Scholar, Department of psychology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
VOLUME 13
DOI DOI:10.15680/IJARETY.2026.1301012
PDF 12_Climate Anxiety as a predictor of Emotional Distress among Youth.pdf
KEYWORDS
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