Role of Environmental Communication in Climate Change Anxiety and Mental Health of a Select Community in the Philippines

Abstract

Climate change is a real threat to humanity that can cause anxiety and mental stress. Advocates and scientists are reminding us about the importance of communicating global issues, especially concerning environmental degradation. This quantitative-correlational study discussed the role of environmental communication in climate change anxiety and the mental health (in the aspect of depression, anxiety, and stress) of the community when taken as a whole and grouped according to age, sex, civil status, and occupation. Correlational research investigates the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating or controlling the other. Thus, this study sought if climate change anxiety and mental health correlate using Pearson product-moment correlation. Three hundred thirty-one respondents answered the adopted modified research instrument. Results showed that the level of climate change anxiety of the respondents was generally at a moderate level while the level of mental health in the aspect of depression was normal, with moderate anxiety, and normal stress level. Therefore, it was concluded that although the community is aware of how climate change is affecting them, their anxiety over environmental issues is not severe enough to cause depression or mental stress. Finally, it was proven that climate change anxiety and mental health were significantly correlated with each other. It is recommended that the government and community groups intensify climate change awareness programs and utilize various communication platforms because of their significant role in reducing climate change anxiety and mental stress.