The Impact of Climate Change News on Mental Health: The Rise of Eco-Anxiety in Pakistan

Abstract

Over the last few years, the exacerbation of climate changes and its link to catastrophes results in intensified media attention, which is although informative but also evokes strong psychological reactions among the public particularly among youth. This research examines the effects of exposure to climate change news on the mental health of Pakistani youth, specifically focusing on the phenomenon of eco-anxiety. This research adopts a quantitative research design employing a survey research approach. A structured questionnaire is administered to a sample of 150 Pakistani youth, selected through purposive sampling. Responses are interpreted using pie charts for the visual representation of important trends and insights. The research is informed by three research objectives, which seek to determine the level of exposure to climate-related news, the psychological effect of such news, and the coping strategies employed by the youth. It also tackles three research questions, framed in statement form, to investigate how climate news reading influences emotional well-being, anxiety levels, and behavior changes. Furthermore, this research cross-tests three hypotheses about the news frequency eco-anxiety correlation and the demographic variables. The findings indicate high climate consciousness among Pakistani youth, but with increasing prevalence of eco-anxiety due to continued exposure to terrifying news. The research concludes from the data collected and then analysis that although climate change news is critical to awareness, it can, on the other hand, be a cause of psychological distress if not presented responsibly. The study suggests incorporating mental health literacy, positive framing of climate news, and climate education programs into national media and education policies to alleviate eco-anxiety and empower youth for effective climate action.