Social Attitudes of Kazakhstani Society and Their Influence on Psychological Readiness to Provide Volunteer Assistance to Migrants Affected by ClimateChange

Abstract

Background: Climate change is increasingly driving global migration. This study in Kazakhstan examines social attitudes and their impact on readiness to volunteer for migrants affected by climate change. We explored how media attention, trust in climate policy, and personal factors influence migration intentions and willingness to assist.

Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among adults (N=401) in five Kazakhstani cities (Aktobe, Almaty, Turkistan, Oral, Shymkent). In 2025, expert interviews were held in Uzbekistan. Analyses included correlations, paired t-tests, multiple regression, and mediation models.

Results: Consideration of emigration due to climate change was linked to attention to migration news and confidence in foreign governments’ climate measures. Regression models showed that support for internal migrants and media attention strongly predicted volunteering, while socio-demographic factors (language, education) also influenced assistance. Respondents expressed greater willingness to help internal migrants than immigrants or foreign populations.

Conclusion: Kazakhstani society’s concerns about climate-driven migration are shaped more by trust in international responses and migration planning than by domestic climate policy. Volunteer activity depends on institutional trust and personal awareness. Media coverage and political expectations strongly influence social attitudes, expressed in readiness to help different migrant groups.