Document Type : Original Article
Authors
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 Rehabilitation Research Center, Department of Rehabilitation Management
4 Department of Anesthesiology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Risk perception is an important predictor to mitigate climate change effects which
can produce mental health consequences such as anxiety and depression. For developing policies
of climate risk adaptation, awareness of public attitudes, beliefs, and perception is essential. At this
study, 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 analysis
method. The study consisted of 33 participants including ordinary people and experts in disasters
and climate change. Purposeful sampling was adopted until data saturation. The data collection was
performed through in‑depth and semi‑structured interviews. All interviews were transcribed after
listening 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 reflected
effects of cultural and religious factors in all aspects of community life. Participants’ life experiences
of extreme events were associated to their perception of climate change.
CONCLUSIONS: Risk perception is multifactorial and complicate and should clearly be understood to
improve community participation to manage climate change‑related risks. We propose that authorities
and related managers should pay attention to it as a priority. This may assist in developing research
on public mental health practices.
Keywords
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