Association of climate anger with loneliness and social isolation among the general adult population in Germany

Abstract

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the association of climate anger with loneliness and perceived social isolation. Subject and methods: We used data from the general adult population in Germany ranging from 18 to 74 years. Data were collected in January 2025. Loneliness was quantified using the De Jong Gierveld instrument and perceived social isolation was assessed using the Bude and Lantermann tool. Climate anger was measured using an extended subscale of the Inventory of Climate Emotions (ICE). Results: Our sample consisted of 3270 adults from Germany (mean age 47.0 years [SD 15.3]; 50.4% female). Adjusting for a wide array of covariates, regressions showed that climate anger was significantly associated with perceived social isolation among the total sample (β =.05, p <.001) and men (β =.08, p <.001) but not women. Moreover, this association was significant among younger individuals aged 18 to 29 years (β =.10, p <.01) and older adults aged 55 to 74 years (β =.06, p <.01), whereas it was not significant among middle-aged individuals aged 30 to 54 years. It is worth noting that climate anger was not associated with loneliness in the total sample and all subgroups. Conclusion: We add the very first evidence regarding the association between climate anger and social isolation (particularly among men and younger individuals). One may conclude that climate change is a social challenge that could potentially lead to a split in society. Future research is urgently required to further examine such associations.