Eco-anxiety : a preliminary study using the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale with participants in a small island state

Abstract

The ecological crisis is having profound impacts on mental health and psychological well-being. One such psychological experience is eco-anxiety, which is characterised by anxiety regarding environmental degradation and its implications on all aspects of life. Despite growing trends in research on eco-anxiety, studies that investigate this phenomenon in the small island state of Malta are lacking. This paper presents a preliminary study within a small island state context that collected quantitative data on eco-anxiety and its four dimensions: (1) rumination, (2) affective symptoms, (3) behavioural symptoms and (4) anxiety about personal impacts, measured using the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS). Self-perceived eco-anxiety, demographic variables, and levels of anxiety about environmental events and personal impacts, alongside their relationship to eco-anxiety, were also investigated. Data was collected from 243 Maltese adults using an online survey. Following data analysis, eco-anxiety levels were found to be relatively low, while self-perceived eco-anxiety was generally scored higher. Eco-anxiety was significantly higher in individuals working in a climate or environment-related field. More so, anxiety about climate change and one’s carbon footprint accounted for the greatest proportion of variance in eco-anxiety scores. Despite limitations in generalisability and contextualisation of the scale, this paper supports eco-anxiety as a relevant psychological concept within the local research agenda, highlighting the importance of such conversations in stimulating environmental engagement and facilitating hope in the face of environmental issues within a small island state.