The Psychological Impact Of Climate Change Worry: Evidence From Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Climate change is increasingly recognized as a source of psychological distress, yet its impact on general well-being remains underexplored in vulnerable populations in the Global South. This study examined the relationship between climate change worry (CCW) and psychological general well-being (PGWB) among 430 adults across the state of Uttarakhand, India. Participants completed the Climate Change Worry Scale and the Psychological General Well-Being Index. Results indicated moderate-to-high levels of climate change worry and a significant negative association with general well-being. Regression analyses further demonstrated that elevated climate change worry predicted lower psychological well-being, highlighting the detrimental impact of environmental concern on mental health. These findings underscore the importance of addressing climate-related worry in public health strategies and suggest avenues for future research on the psychological consequences of climate change in high-risk regions.