Eco-anxiety in Brazilian and Portuguese university students: perceptions, emotions and coping strategies

Purpose This study aims to comparatively analyse the intensity of eco-anxiety among Brazilian and Portuguese university students, elucidating their perceptions, emotions and the primary coping strategies used. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative approach was used, based on semi-structured interviews with 19 Brazilian and Portuguese university students. Data analysis used Bardin’s (1977) content analysis framework, based on the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (Hogg et al. , 2021). Findings Despite cultural differences, the participants exhibit similar levels of emotional distress in response to the climate crisis, manifesting feelings of concern, frustration, helplessness, fear and anguish. These emotions, in turn, have tangible impacts on the students’ daily lives, affecting sleep, concentration, interpersonal relationships and overall mental health. Brazilian students, while recognising the urgency of the climate crisis, appear more inclined to experience guilt and individual helplessness in more systemic terms. Conversely, Portuguese students emphasise the need for more concrete actions at both individual and collective levels, expressing frustration with the perceived political and social inaction from a more historical perspective. Originality/value Eco-anxiety emerges as a significant cross-cultural phenomenon among young university students, manifesting in a complex and multifaceted manner. The research underscores the importance of considering cultural diversity in the development of interventions and public policies that address mental health in the context of the climate crisis.