Exploring the Relationship between Climate Anxiety and Solastalgia Among University Students in Pakistan: A Study of Environmental Distress and Psychological Well-Being

Abstract

In recent years, climate change has emerged not only as a critical environmental issue but also as an escalating psychological concern, particularly among youth. This study explores the relationship between climate anxiety and solastalgia among university students in Pakistan—a population increasingly exposed to climate-related stress. Climate anxiety refers to persistent worry about the planet’s future, while solastalgia describes the emotional distress experienced due to the degradation of one's familiar environment. Adopting a cross-sectional, quantitative approach, data were gathered from 300 university students using standardized tools: the Climate Anxiety Scale (CAS), the Scale of Solastalgia (SOS), and the Environmental Perceived Threat Scale (EPTS). Results showed a significant positive correlation between climate anxiety and solastalgia (r = .215, p < .001), and between climate anxiety and perceived environmental threat (r = .225, p < .001). However, the association between solastalgia and perceived environmental threat was weak and statistically non-significant (r = .075, p = .098). Multiple regression analysis indicated that climate anxiety and perceived environmental threat significantly predicted solastalgia, collectively explaining 4.7% of its variance (R² = .047, p < .001). These findings highlight the psychological toll of environmental decline and underscore the importance of culturally sensitive mental health interventions in climate-vulnerable contexts. The study adds to the growing field of eco-psychology in the Global South and advocates for incorporating emotional resilience strategies within environmental education and university mental health services.