Eco-Anxiety and Climate Governance: The Role of Institutional Trust and Perceived Efficacy in Mental Health

Abstract

Climate change represents a growing threat to psychosocial well-being, not only due to its direct environmental effects but also because of the subjective impact associated with uncertainty, risk perception, and institutional response. In this context, eco-anxiety has emerged as a relevant phenomenon, particularly among young populations, with the potential to affect mental health, daily functioning, and perceptions of the future. However, there is limited evidence in Latin America regarding the role played by public policy-related variables, such as institutional trust and perceived efficacy, in shaping climate distress. This ongoing project aims to analyze the relationship between eco-anxiety, trust in institutions, and perceived efficacy, as well as their association with mental health indicators in a university population. A quantitative, cross-sectional, and explanatory design will be employed using non-probability sampling. Data collection will be carried out through an online survey incorporating validated scales to measure eco-anxiety, institutional trust, perceived efficacy (individual and external), and symptoms associated with stress, anxiety, and depression. The expected results will serve to identify institutional and psychological factors that modulate the impact of climate change on mental health, providing empirical evidence for the design of psychoeducational interventions and public policy communication strategies aimed at reducing distress, strengthening coping resources, and promoting climate resilience.