Climate change news and doomscrolling: An examination of influencing factors and psychological effects

Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human life, and news about it can significantly impact mental health. Furthermore, doomscrolling, that is habitual negative consumption, may further exacerbate these effects. Understanding the associated risks and protective factors is crucial for supporting the most affected groups. However, no research has examined the relationship between doomscrolling and climate change news.

We employed a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between general doomscrolling and climate change-specific doomscrolling in a sample of 365 participants. Furthermore, we examined the influence of demographic factors, risk factors (anxiety and depression), and protective factors (social support and coping skills) on both types of doomscrolling.

Analyses of the final sample revealed a significant positive correlation between general doomscrolling and climate change-specific doomscrolling. Additionally, the study suggests a gender difference, with females exhibiting a greater propensity for doomscrolling behavior. Risk factors for doomscrolling were explored, with both anxiety and depressive symptoms demonstrating positive associations. Depression correlated positively with doomscrolling for females, and it displayed a negative correlation for males. Anxiety consistently demonstrated a positive association with general and climate change-specific doomscrolling. Social support did not significantly protect against either form of doomscrolling. Conversely, the study identified coping skills as a potential protective factor, albeit with a modest effect size.

Given climate change's continued prominence within the news cycle, developing effective coping mechanisms becomes increasingly crucial. This study underscores the importance of designing interventions that empower individuals to navigate the negativity inherent in news consumption.