The emotional depth of flood experience: the role of positive emotions in shaping perceptions and action on climate change

Spence, Alexa; Ogunbode, Charles; Demski, Christina; Capstick, Stuart

Abstract

Flooding is an ongoing and predicted impact of climate change in many parts of the world. Previous research shows that many people who have experienced flooding exhibit a greater preparedness to act on climate change, especially when the experience relates to more pronounced emotional responses. However, this research has mainly focused on general negative emotional reactions to flooding. Here, we re-analysed a large UK survey dataset (N = 1997) using mixed-methods to examine discrete emotional responses to flooding, including positive emotions, and their relationship with environmental intentions and policy support. Whilst anxiety, anger, helplessness, and distress, dominate people’s experience, positive emotions were also reported as significantly higher in our flooded group, particularly gratitude and pride in response to the receipt of external and community support; surprise was also observed. Thematic analysis highlighted perceived impacts of flooding, and the experience of positive support, as being key to alleviating distress and anxiety, as well as promoting subsequent positive long-term actions to reduce flooding. Notably indirect experience of flooding was also impactful with a range of emotional responses also reported by observers. Regression analysis indicated that higher levels of anxiety, distress, and gratitude were associated with greater intentions to act environmentally in the future (alongside greater levels of anger and lower levels of indifference), and to support for environmental policies (alongside greater levels of sympathy). We suggest that the provision of support following flooding may promote considerations of morality and climate change and increase the likelihood (of both recipients and observers) to undertake pro social and pro-environmental behaviour themselves in the future.

Citation

Spence, A., Ogunbode, C., Demski, C., & Capstick, S. (2025). The emotional depth of flood experience: the role of positive emotions in shaping perceptions and action on climate change. Current Research in Environmental Sustainability, 8, Article 100221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100221

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 14, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Apr 17, 2025
• Publication Date: Apr 17, 2025
• Deposit Date: Apr 21, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 30, 2025
• Journal: Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology
• Electronic ISSN: 2666-0490
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 8
• Article Number: 100221
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100221
• Keywords: Flooding; Sustainable behavior; Climate change; Discrete emotion; Affect
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/47944334
• Publisher URL: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666622725000085?via%3Dihub
• Additional Information: This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: The emotional depth of flood experience: the role of positive emotions in shaping perceptions and action on climate change; Journal Title: Current Research in Ecological and Social Psychology; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cresp.2025.100221; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.