On the relationship between indirect experience of climate change-related events, climate anxiety, and climate change mitigation intentions

Cumulative research evidence shows that direct and indirect experience of climate change-related events can lead to negative emotions (Helferich et al., 2020; Ogunbode, Böhm, et al., 2019), which can, in turn, be associated with climate-friendly behaviors and intentions (Demski et al., 2017; Ogunbode, Böhm, et al., 2019; Smith & Leiserowitz, 2014, Reser et al., 2012). However, only a few studies have investigated the connection between indirect experiences of climate change-related events and climate anxiety, and the research that has been done was mostly correlational (e.g., Helferich et al., 2020). Additionally, various moderators are shown to modulate the pathway from the experience of a climate change-related event to negative emotions, but the role of motivated reasoning in this relationship has remained underinvestigated. To address these research gaps, we will conduct an online experiment using a between-subject design. Participants will be randomized to either the ‘indirect experience’ group, where they will see a short film and read a short text that depict and describe climate change-related events. The control group will see a video with neutral content. After viewing the videos, participants will be asked questions about climate change anxiety, compensatory beliefs, and climate change mitigation intentions. As a control variable, we will measure the degree participants subjectively attribute the events from the videos and texts to climate change (amongst others).