Psychological aspects of climate change risk perception: A content analysis in Iranian context
نویسندگان
1 Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,
3 Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4 Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Rehabilitation Management
5 Department of Anesthesiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
doi
چکیده
BACKGROUND: Risk perception is an important predictor to mitigate climate change effects whichcan produce mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression. For developing policiesof climate risk adaptation, awareness of public attitudes, beliefs, and perception is essential. At thisstudy, researchers tried to focus on the often “unseen” psychological aspects of climate change.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative approach was done with a consistent content analysismethod. The study consisted of 33 participants including ordinary people and experts in disastersand climate change. Purposeful sampling was adopted until data saturation. The data collection wasperformed through in‑depth and semi‑structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed afterlistening again and again and reading several times to catch an overall understanding of the interviews.RESULTS: The main theme of the study was “Complexity nature of climate change risk perception”and related categories including “the Mental health dimension,” “the Cognitive dimension” and“Interaction of imposed components.” The structure of the research community strongly reflectedeffects of cultural and religious factors in all aspects of community life. Participants’ life experiencesof extreme events were associated to their perception of climate change.CONCLUSIONS: Risk perception is multifactorial and complicate and should clearly be understood toimprove community participation to manage climate change‑related risks. We propose that authoritiesand related managers should pay attention to it as a priority. This may assist in developing researchon public mental health practices.
