Work

Exploring the impact of climate change anxiety and social media information overload on unusual purchase behavior

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Climate change has profoundly reshaped consumer behavior, leading to unprecedented shifts in shopping patterns and preferences. This study explores these transformations by analyzing data from 324 participants to uncover key factors influencing consumer decision-making during the crisis. Employing descriptive statistics, PLS-SEM, we examine the interplay between climate change anxiety, information overload, and cyberchondria, and their collective impacts on perceived severity, intention to self-isolate, and unusual purchasing behavior respectively. Our findings provide critical insights into climate change's long-term effects on the retail sector, highlighting trends and motivations that have emerged in response to this global disruption. By understanding these behavioral shifts, businesses can develop strategies to navigate the evolving consumer landscape and remain resilient in the face of future uncertainties.

Source: Sustainable Futures

DOI: 10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101571

Authors: My-Trinh Bui, T.H. Hanh Nguyen, Huong Le

Institution: VNU International School

Language: English

Topic: Climate Change Communication and Perception

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,340