Meral Gezici Yalçın, Aydın Bayad
Abstract Research Problem This study examines how individuals in Turkey understand, emotionally experience and respond to climate change through the lens of mental models, understood as cognitive frameworks for interpreting complex and uncertain phenomena. While psychological research on climate change perceptions has expanded rapidly, it remains largely dominated by quantitative studies from North America and Western Europe. Qualitative research from other regions is increasing, but everyday meaning‐making in non‐Western contexts remains insufficiently visible and partially integrated into theory building. Objective Addressing this gap, the study adopts a qualitative, bottom‐up approach to investigate how climate change is conceptualised in Turkey. Methodology Using a qualitative survey design, 180 adults residing in 37 cities responded to open‐ended questions. Participants were aged between 19 and 62 years (Mage = 29.5, SD = 10.3; 56% women). The data were analysed through reflexive thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns of meaning‐making in participants' own words. Results The analysis identified four interrelated meta‐themes: causal beliefs, perceived outcomes, emotions and pro‐environmental responses. Together, these themes constitute participants' mental models of climate change. Participants predominantly understood climate change as human‐induced and emphasised ecological consequences such as droughts and extreme weather. Emotional responses were largely negative, including worry, sadness and fear, especially concerning future generations. Reported responses were mostly low‐cost and individual, while collective action was largely absent. Responsibility for effective action was often attributed to governments, industries or society at large, reflecting limited perceived individual agency. Conclusions The study highlights the importance of contextualised analyses to a more globally inclusive understanding of climate change engagement.