Eco-Anxiety in the Younger Generation: Mental Health Impact of Climate Change Across Age Groups in a Blood Donor Sample

Abstract

Introduction:

Climate change poses a serious threat to fundamental human needs, including access to water, air, food, and housing. It also contributes to a range of mental health risks. Among its psychological impacts, eco-anxiety, defined by the American Psychological Association as a chronic fear of environmental doom, is receiving increasing attention. Although awareness of eco-anxiety is growing, research on this phenomenon remains limited, especially in countries like Italy, which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change identifies as especially vulnerable to the consequences of global warming.

Methods:

This study investigated the prevalence of eco-anxiety in a sample of healthy Italian adults recruited among voluntary blood donors, focusing on its distribution across generational cohorts. In May 2024, an online questionnaire was administered via QR code to members of AVIS (Associazione Volontari Italiani Sangue) in Bologna. A total of 1,795 participants (1,060 males, 727 females, 8 non-binary) took part, ranging in age from 18 to 70 years (M = 46.6). Eco-anxiety was assessed using the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS).

Results:

The sample showed a median HEAS score of 4.0 (IQR = 8.0). Kruskal–Wallis tests revealed significant differences across generational cohorts (p < .001; ε² = 0.0603), with Generation Z (18–28 years) reporting the highest levels of eco-anxiety. Nearly half of Generation Z participants (48.4%) exhibited high levels of eco-anxiety (χ² = 81.3; p < .001; V = 0.213). Spearman’s correlation and linear regression analyses confirmed a strong association between younger age and elevated eco-anxiety scores. After adjusting for general anxiety and depressive symptoms, Generation Z participants were more than four times as likely as Baby Boomers to report high eco-anxiety (OR = 4.21; 95% CI [2.755, 6.421]).

Conclusions:

These findings highlight a marked generational gap in climate-related distress, underscoring the need for targeted psychological interventions for younger populations and further research into the mechanisms underlying eco-anxiety.

Keywords

youth mental health eco-anxiety climate change

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