There is growing evidence that climate anxiety is having a significant impact on the mental
health and wellbeing of young people. However, the unique contribution of climate anxiety to
young people's mental health burden is unclear, as it has largely been studied in isolation
from other common stressors. This study sought to contextualize the significance of climate
anxiety for the mental health of UK young adults relative to other concurrent psychological
stressors. We surveyed university students (N = 461), and a general population sample
aged 18-25 (N = 400). The results showed that while climate anxiety was significantly related
to poorer mental health and worse insomnia when examined alone, this relationship became
non-significant or greatly diminished when other stressors were taken into account.
Specifically, loneliness was found to be the most important predictor of mental health, and
financial anxiety the most important predictor of insomnia severity. The findings suggest that
climate anxiety, while concerning, may not be the most dominant factor impacting young
people's mental health. Our research highlights the need to consider the broader context of
young people's lives and the complex interplay of various psychological stressors. Further
research is needed to better understand this nuanced relationship.