From environmental threat to psychological distress: eco-anxiety as an emerging mental health issue in climate-vulnerable societies

Adhiswar Azizi; Aisyah Ramadhani Anshory

doi:10.61511/andmej.v3i2.2026.2763

Authors

Adhiswar Azizi Islamic Religious Education Study Program, Faculty of Tarbiyah and Teaching, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel, Surabaya, East Java 60237, Indonesia
Aisyah Ramadhani Anshory Sufism and Psychotherapy Study Program, Faculty of Ushuluddin and Philosophy, Universitas Islam Negeri Sunan Ampel, Surabaya, East Java 60237, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.61511/andmej.v3i2.2026.2763

Keywords:

eco-anxiety, climate change, mental health

Abstract

Background: Climate change has increasingly been recognized not only as an environmental crisis but also as a significant threat to human mental health. One emerging psychological response to this condition is eco-anxiety, which reflects persistent worry, fear, and emotional distress related to environmental degradation and climate uncertainty. In Indonesia, where climate-related disasters and ecological vulnerability are highly prevalent, discussions on eco-anxiety remain fragmented and underexplored within mental health discourse. This study aims to critically review existing literature on eco-anxiety and examine how the climate crisis affects mental health from both global and Indonesian perspectives. Methods: This study employed a qualitative literature review approach by systematically collecting and analyzing scientific publications from national and international databases, including SINTA, Scopus, and PubMed Central. Relevant peer-reviewed journal articles and selected disaster reports were reviewed using thematic analysis to identify key patterns, relationships, and research gaps related to eco-anxiety and mental health. Findings: The review indicates that eco-anxiety is closely associated with psychological distress such as anxiety, stress, and reduced mental well-being, particularly among younger populations and communities exposed to climate risks. Social context, media exposure, and collective experiences were found to intensify eco-anxiety, while adaptive coping mechanisms and social support play important roles in mental resilience. However, empirical research in Indonesia remains limited, with a lack of culturally adaptive measurement tools and integrated policy responses. Conclusion: Eco-anxiety represents a multidimensional mental health challenge that requires greater attention within climate adaptation and public health strategies. Integrating environmental perspectives into mental health services is essential to strengthen psychological resilience amid ongoing climate change. Novelty/Originality of this article: This article contributes a comprehensive and contextualized synthesis of eco-anxiety literature by highlighting research gaps, social dimensions, and policy implications within the Indonesian context, offering an integrative perspective that connects environmental psychology, mental health, and climate change.

References

Abbas, S., Syawal, J., Sahjad, S., & Nurbaya, N. U. (2025). Penguatan Literasi Iklim Anak dan Remaja Melalui Edukasi Partisipatif Berbasis Kearifan Lokal di Kecamatan Pulau Ternate. 14(2), 2488–2499. https://doi.org/10.22236/solma.v14i2.19473

Ardelia, V., & Jaro, S. (2025). Digital Threat : The Influence of Social Media Use on Climate Anxiety in Emerging Adulthood Moderated by Gender. 30, 149–162. https://doi.org/10.20885/psikologika.vol30.iss1.art9

Ayu, C., Setya, P., & Supartono, B. (2024). Analisa Perspektif Hukum Pengendalian Dampak Perubahan Iklim Terhadap Kesehatan di Indonesia Pendahuluan. 3(1), 28–35. https://doi.org/10.56744/irchum.v3i1.44

Berry, H. L., Waite, T. D., Dear, K. B. G., Capon, A. G., & Murray, V. (2018). The case for systems thinking about climate change and mental health. Nature Climate Change, 8(April). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-018-0102-4

Buedo, P., & Daly, T. (2025). Greta Thunberg Seen Through the Lens of Mental Health Ethics. 32(3), 603–604. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.13139.Greta

Cami Daeninck , Vasiliki Kioupi, and A. V. (2023). Climate anxiety , coping strategies and planning for the future in environmental degree students in the UK. July. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1126031

Cosh, S. M., Ryan, R., Fallander, K., Robinson, K., Tognela, J., Tully, P. J., & Lykins, A. D. (2024). The relationship between climate change and mental health : a systematic review of the association between eco ‑ anxiety , psychological distress , and symptoms of major affective disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-024-06274-1

Darwis, A., & Rahma, F. (2025). Risiko Kesehatan pada Masyarakat akibat dari Perubahan Iklim : Tinjauan Literatur. 4(4), 10–22. https://doi.org/10.29103/jkkmm.v4i4.23457

Fajrini, F., Herdiansyah, D., Aulia, L., & Lusida, N. (2023). Analisis Perubahan Iklim dan Kesehatan Mental pada Mahasiswa Fakultas Kesehatan Masyarakat Universitas Muhammadiyah Jakarta. 3(2), 95–101.

Fatria, E., Priadi, A., Rahmat, F., Sn, S., & Ashra, F. (2024). Edukasi Mengenai Penyakit Berbasis Lingkungan Sebagai Dampak Bencana Perubahan Iklim. 3(2), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.37905/ljpmt.v3i2.26548

Federica Marcolini, D. (2025). Eco-Anxiety in the Younger Generation: Mental Health Impact of Climate Change Across Age Groups in a Blood Donor Sample. https://doi.org/10.1177/00207640251380066

Fernanda, L., Jasim, S., & Zanatta, F. (2024). The Impact of Climate Change on the Mental Health of Populations at Disproportionate Risk of Health Impacts and Inequities : A Rapid Scoping Review of Reviews. 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21111415

Hidayat, Ahmad, et al. (2025). Integrasi Skrining Eco-Kecemasan dalam Kebijakan Adaptasi Iklim Nasional: Studi Komparatif Indonesia-Australia. Jurnal Kebijakan Kesehatan Masyarakat, 8((1)). https://doi.org/10.31004/jerkin.v4i2

Hwong, A. R., Wang, M., Khan, H., Chagwedera, D. N., Grzenda, A., Doty, B., Benton, T., Alpert, J., Clarke, D., & Compton, W. M. (2022). Climate change and mental health research methods , gaps , and priorities : a scoping review. The Lancet Planetary Health, 6(3), e281–e291. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(22)00012-2

Jaro, S., & Saffana, K. (2023). Adaptation of the Climate Anxiety Scale in Indonesian version : The sample of young adults. 8(2), 309–328. https://doi.org/10.21580/pjpp.v8i2.17462

John W. Creswell, C. N. P. (2018). Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches.

Kholiq, N. (2024). PENGALAMAN SOLASTALGIA: DAMPAK PERUBAHAN IKLIM TERHADAP KESEJAHTERAAN EMOSIONAL KOMUNITAS LOKAL. Jurnal Karomah. https://oj.mjukn.org/index.php/jk/issue/view/320

Korban Banjir Sumatra 23 Desember : 1.112 Meninggal, 176 Masih Hilang. (2025). CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/nasional/20251223193818-20-1310103/korban-banjir-sumatra-23-desember-1112-meninggal-176-masih-hilang

Kusuma, et al. (2025). Kurikulum Pendidikan Iklim Berbasis Ketahanan Emosional: Evaluasi di Sekolah Sumatra dan Jawa Timur. Indonesian Journal of Sustainability Education. https://journal.serral.org/jestra

Lina Iffata Fauziya, N. H. C. D. (2017). HUBUNGAN KECERDASAN EMOSI DENGAN RESILIENSI PENYINTAS BANJIR. 20(3), 148–157. https://doi.org/10.7454/jki.v20i3.624

Merino, J. R., Poyato, A. M., Malleville, M. E., Botero, C., Arredondo, A. Y., Quiroga, A. R., Costa, T., Teixeira-santos, L., Pinho, L. G. De, & Sequeira, C. (2025). Examining the relationships between eco- anxiety , sociodemographic factors , experience of climate events , pro-environmental behaviours , and life satisfaction in young adults. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-025-03340-5

Mosca, A., Luciani, D., Chiappini, S., Miuli, A., Cianconi, P., Pettorruso, M., Janiri, L., & Martinotti, G. (2025). Eco-Anxiety and Mental Health : Correlates of Climate Change Distress. 1–16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph22121768

Nasution, S. I., Purnama, R., & Puspita, D. (2025). The Role of Environmental Risk Perception as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Eco-Anxiety and Pro-Environmental Behavior Among Generation Z in Lampung. 24(2), 172–186. https://doi.org/10.24167/psidim.v24i2.14410

Nur Laily Mucharomah, Y. L. (2025). PENGARUH TERPAAN MEDIA TERKAIT PERUBAHAN IKLIM DAN SELF EFFICACY TERHADAP TINGKAT ECO-ANXIETY PADA GENERASI Z DI INDONESIA. 199(2). https://ejournal3.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi-online/article/view/48826

Pihkala, P. (2020). Eco-Anxiety and Environmental Education. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310149

Prabowo, dan W. (2025). Pilot Project Skrining Eco-Kecemasan di Puskesmas Kalimantan: Dampak pada Ketahanan Emosional Masyarakat. Health Policy and Climate Adaptation Journal, 8((1)). https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/health-policy

Putri Dewi, dan E. S. (2024). Faktor Sosio-Ekonomi dan Eko-Kecemasan pada Mahasiswa Perkotaan Indonesia. Jurnal Psikologi Sosial Indonesia, 12((2)). http://jps.ui.ac.id/index.php/jps/article/view/312/110

Ramadhani, N. Y. (2025). Kecemasan Lingkungan sebagai Trauma Kolektif Generasi Z : Dampak Mengkonsumsi Media dan Pola Komunikasi Interpersonal Perubahan Iklim LSPR Institute of Communication and Business – Indonesia. 6(1), 86–93. https://ejournal3.undip.ac.id/index.php/interaksi-online/article/view/48826

Ridley, D. (2012). The Literature Review: A Step-by-Step Guide for Students. SAGE Publications.

Rimba, F., & Putri, A. P. (2025). TREN PENELITIAN DAN JARINGAN PENGETAHUAN KECEMASAN EKOLOGIS ( ECOANXIETY ): ANALISIS BIBLIOMETRIK MENGGUNAKAN VOSVIEWER. 8(1), 29–46. https://ejournal.brin.go.id/panalungtik/issue/view/1448

Robert K. Yin. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. SAGE Publications.

Sari, et al. (2025). Program Komunitas Restorasi Mangrove dan Penurunan Eco-Kecemasan pada Generasi Muda di Pesisir Jawa Timur. Jurnal Ilmu Lingkungan. https://ejournal.undip.ac.id/index.php/ilmulingkungan

Shareeff, N., Pramono, R. K., & Saliha, A. (n.d.). Climate Change and Mental Health: Exploring the Psychological Impacts of Environmental Distress in Indonesia. 605–618. https://doi.org/10.37275/scipsy.v5i4.179

Siswanto. (2025). DAMPAK PERUBAHAN IKLIM TERHADAP KESEHATAN MENTAL: PSIKOLOGI BENCANA DAN ADAPTASI. Jurnal Ilmu Psikologi. https://oj.mjukn.org/index.php/jip/issue/view/75

Siti Kulsum, A. (2024). MENGUNGKAP KECEMASAN LINGKUNGAN: PERAN GENDER DAN SIFAT PSIKOLOGIS DALAM MEMBENTUK TEKANAN LINGKUNGAN. 2(11), 113–122. https://www.journal.unrika.ac.id/index.php/kopastajournal/article/download/7248/pdf

Suciana, F., & Yanuvianti, M. (n.d.). Gambaran Kecemasan Perubahan Iklim pada Mahasiswa di Kota Bandung. 317–323. https://dx.doi.org/10.29313/bcsps.v4i1.10050

Sugianto, A., Maulidiyawati, S. A., Hadi, S., Lambung, U., Inti, T., & Kunci, K. (2022). Penerapan Trauma Healing untuk Mengatasi Kecemasan Pasca Banjir. 7(5), 642–651. https://doi.org/10.33084/pengabdianmu.v7i5.3168

Suhu Global Naik 1,55 Derajat, Dunia Lewati Batas Paris Agreement. (2025). CNN Indonesia. https://www.cnnindonesia.com/teknologi/20250324133003-641-CNN Indonesia Baca artikel CNN Indonesia %22Suhu Global Naik 1,55 Derajat, Dunia Lewati Batas Paris Agreement%22 selengkapnya di sini: https://www.cnnindonesia.com/teknologi/20250324133003-641-1212387/suhu-global-naik-155-derajat-dunia-lewati-batas-paris-agreement. Download Apps CNN Indonesia sekarang https://app.cnnindonesia.com//suhu-global-naik-155-derajat-dunia-lewati-batas-paris-agreement

Susan Clayton, C. M. (2018). Psychology and Climate Change Human Perceptions, Impacts, and Responses. Academic Press.

Widyaningrum, H., & Mansoer, W. W. D. (2023). The Role of Mindfulness in the Relationship of Anxiety and Resilience in Adolescents and Adults Post Covid-19 Pandemic Peran Mindfulness dalam Hubungan Kecemasan dan Resiliensi pada Remaja dan Dewasa Pasca. 11(4), 539–544.

Yunus, P., Monoarfa, S., & Biu, H. S. (2024). HUBUNGAN KESIAPSIAGAAN DENGAN TINGKAT KECEMASAN MASYARAKAT DAERAH RAWAN BENCANA BANJIR DI DESA DAENAA KECAMATAN LIMBOTO BARAT KABUPATEN GORONTALO. 5(September), 6681–6690. https://doi.org/10.30872/psikoborneo.v11i4.12823

Zintan Prihatini, N. N. W. W. (2025). Banjir Sumatera Dipicu Deforestasi, Mayoritas Daerah Aliran Sungai Kritis. Kompas.Com. https://lestari.kompas.com/read/2025/12/02/160840786/banjir-sumatera-dipicu-deforestasi-mayoritas-daerah-aliran-sungai-kritis?page=all