Journal of Education and Health Promotion 2277-9531 10 12 2020 12 01 Psychological aspects of climate change risk perception: A content analysis in Iranian context 1 7 29381 EN . Mehrdad Farrokhi Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran . Hamid Reza Khankeh 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, . Nasir Amanat Health in Emergency and Disaster Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran . Mohammad Kamali Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Rehabilitation Management . Mohammad Fathi Department of Anesthesiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2023 03 05 BACKGROUND: Risk perception is an important predictor to mitigate climate change effects which<br />can produce mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression. For developing policies<br />of climate risk adaptation, awareness of public attitudes, beliefs, and perception is essential. At this<br />study, researchers tried to focus on the often “unseen” psychological aspects of climate change.<br />MATERIALS AND METHODS: A qualitative approach was done with a consistent content analysis<br />method. The study consisted of 33 participants including ordinary people and experts in disasters<br />and climate change. Purposeful sampling was adopted until data saturation. The data collection was<br />performed through in‑depth and semi‑structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed after<br />listening again and again and reading several times to catch an overall understanding of the interviews.<br />RESULTS: The main theme of the study was “Complexity nature of climate change risk perception”<br />and related categories including “the Mental health dimension,” “the Cognitive dimension” and<br />“Interaction of imposed components.” The structure of the research community strongly reflected<br />effects of cultural and religious factors in all aspects of community life. Participants’ life experiences<br />of extreme events were associated to their perception of climate change.<br />CONCLUSIONS: Risk perception is multifactorial and complicate and should clearly be understood to<br />improve community participation to manage climate change‑related risks. We propose that authorities<br />and related managers should pay attention to it as a priority. This may assist in developing research<br />on public mental health practices.<br /><br /> https://jehp.mui.ac.ir/article_29381_fe6caaa257ac7ef1bfccfc897c098066.pdf