Prevalence and Nomological Network of Climate Anxiety in a Representative New Zealand Sample

Climate anxiety – negative emotional reactions to climate change – has been linked to poorer psychological wellbeing and has shown to have mixed associations with pro-environmental behaviour. Although a growing number of studies have examined the correlates of climate anxiety, few have investigated its prevalence in national samples. Addressing this gap, we used the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale to measure levels of climate anxiety in New Zealand. Using a representative sample by age, ethnicity, gender, and region (N = 429), our goals were threefold: (1) measure the prevalence of climate anxiety in the New Zealand population and across the 16 regions; (2) examine the associations between climate anxiety and both sociodemographic variables and psychological wellbeing; and (3) clarify whether the correlation with pro-environmental behaviour fits linear versus non-linear models. Overall, 5.2% (95% CI [3.4; 7.8]) of participants reported experiencing climate anxiety, and .5% (95% CI [.0; 1.8]) reported nearly daily climate anxiety, with the highest prevalence observed in the Bay of Plenty region, and highest severity in Southland. People who experienced climate impacts, those working in environment-related jobs, those who felt less prepared for climate change, and younger people reported higher climate anxiety. Those with higher climate anxiety also reported greater psychological distress, reduced wellbeing, and more engagement in pro-environmental behaviours. We discuss potential strategies for supporting at-risk groups, and ways to capitalize on the benefits of climate anxiety while preventing its maladaptive consequences in New Zealand.