Comparing Financial Stress, Climate Anxiety, and Racial/Ethnic Discrimination Among Black and Hispanic College Students

• In Event: Environmental Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 18: Climate Emotions & Psychological Responses

Abstract

Climate change has increasingly been identified as a psychological stressor, particularly among young people, yet much of the existing research on climate anxiety centers white populations and overlooks how climate-related stress may intersect with other structural stressors faced by racial and ethnic minority students. Black and Hispanic college students often experience disproportionate financial strain, educational debt, and racial or ethnic discrimination, all of which may shape their mental well-being and perceptions of the future. This study examines how financial stress, climate change anxiety, and experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination are related among Black and Hispanic undergraduate students attending public universities in Texas. Using an original anonymous online survey, data will be collected from undergraduate students ages 18–25 at four Texas institutions, including two Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and two Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). Participants will complete measures assessing financial stress, climate change anxiety, perceived discrimination, and views on institutional responsibility and support. Quantitative analyses will be conducted to explore relationships among these stressors and to identify which sources of stress are most salient for students. By centering the experiences of Black and Hispanic college students, this research contributes to sociological and environmental justice scholarship and highlights the need for universities to address overlapping financial, social, and climate-related stressors impacting student well-being.

Authors

• Shalimar Braddy, Texas State University

• Michelle L. Edwards, Texas State University