The relationship of women's anxiety about climate change with social and psychological determinants

Climate change, which threatens every aspect of our society, is the biggest problem of the 21st century, and its impact on human health is increasing daily. Increased solid fuel use, production, and consumption activities, particularly after the industrial revolution, have been the main driving force behind climate change. Climate change, considered a global health problem, affects individuals' physical, social, and mental well-being through environmental and social determinants. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to the health impacts of climate change. In this context, the aim of the study is to determine women's anxiety levels about climate change and the relationship between social and psychological determinants. The research is descriptive and cross-sectional. It was conducted online between November 2023 - 2024 with 2,549 women over the age of 18 residing in Turkey. Data were collected using an introductory information form containing demographic information developed in line with the literature and social-psychological determinants adapted to risk perception theory, and the Climate Change Anxiety Scale for Women (CCAS-Women). The mean age of the participants was 33.77±9.46. The total mean score on the CCAS-Women is 65.48±13.52. The mean scores for the subscales are 31.93±6.76 for the Physiological Health subscale, 20.15±4.74 for the Behavior subscale, and 13.40±3.74 for the Gender subscale. Regression analysis results indicate that cognitive factors, experiential processes, sociocultural influences, and individuals' values, beliefs, and norms influence and significantly increase women's concerns about climate change (F=296.696, p<0.001, R²=0.318). Among all these factors, the variable with the strongest impact on climate change concerns is individuals' value systems and beliefs. As a result, women's anxiety about climate change is high and psychosocial indicators negatively affect their anxiety levels. Anxiety can affect adaptation to the current situation. These results highlight the importance of considering individual factors, particularly for women, when developing policies and strategies to address climate change. Keywords: Climate Change, Women, Anxiety, Social Determinants, Psychological Determinants