The direct and indirect effects of climate anxiety on psychological distress through hope: A multinational study in different Arab nations

Abstract

Abstract The impact of climate change on mental health is becoming increasingly recognized. Previous studies on this subject have mainly assessed the direct and immediate emotional reactions to climate change anxiety, but the psychological aspects of this connection are yet to be investigated, especially in Arab societies. The current study aimed at investigating if hope can be a mediator in the relationship between climate change anxiety and psychological distress in Arab countries. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between February and June 2025 among 2,844 subjects from Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and Lebanon. The validated Arabic versions of the climate change anxiety scale , the perceived Hope Scale and the patient health Questionnaire-4 were used for data collection. Hope was found to be a partial mediator in the relationship between climate change anxiety and psychological distress (indirect effect: β = 0.003; 95% CI [0.001, 0.005]). Higher levels of climate anxiety were associated with lower hope, which in turn was related to higher psychological distress. Climate change anxiety continued to be directly associated with psychological distress even after accounting for hope as a mediator. This study suggests that hope modestly and partially mediates the relationship between climate change anxiety and psychological distress. Therefore, and particularly in the Arab region, a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach aiming at reinforcing and strengthening hope may help with the mental health burden of climate-related anxiety.