Climate anxiety in Dutch youth: Hogg scale validation and associated factors
I Rahmon, M Otter, E Van der GrintenAbstract
Background
Climate anxiety - worry and distress about climate change and its impacts, independent of direct experience - is associated with poorer psychological wellbeing. Young people may be disproportionately affected, yet population evidence remains limited. We validated a Dutch version of the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale (HCAS) in a representative youth sample and examined associated factors.
Methods
The HCAS was translated into Dutch and included in a cross-sectional survey of Dutch youth aged 12–25 years (September 2025; N = 5,399). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) tested the original four-factor structure (affective symptoms, ruminative thoughts, behavioural symptoms, personal-impact anxiety). Using regularized structural equation modelling, we assessed associations with demographics, mental and physical health outcomes, and societal concerns.
Results
CFA supported the original four-factor model with good fit. Internal consistency was good to excellent across subscales (Cronbach’s α = 0.82–0.90). The strongest associations were observed for psychological wellbeing, insomnia, and worry about climate change. Higher scores on all four dimensions were linked to poorer psychological wellbeing. Behavioural symptoms were additionally associated with more insomnia. Worry about climate change was linked to more ruminative thoughts and personal-impact anxiety. In contrast, higher behavioural symptoms were associated with lower reported worry.
Conclusions
The Dutch HCAS is a valid and reliable instrument to assess climate anxiety in Dutch-speaking youth. Climate anxiety was primarily linked to reduced psychological wellbeing, underscoring the importance of including climate anxiety in routine youth mental health monitoring.