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Brehm J, Gruhl H. Increase in concerns about climate change following climate strikes and civil disobedience in Germany. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2916. [PMID: 38575557 PMCID: PMC10995135 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46477-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate movements have gained momentum in recent years, aiming to create public awareness of the consequences of climate change through salient climate protests. This paper investigates whether concerns about climate change increase following demonstrative protests and confrontational acts of civil disobedience. Leveraging individual-level survey panel data from Germany, we exploit exogenous variations in the timing of climate protests relative to survey interview dates to compare climate change concerns in the days before and after a protest (N = 24,535). Following climate protests, we find increases in concerns about climate change by, on average, 1.2 percentage points. Further, we find no statistically significant evidence that concerns of any subpopulation decreased after climate protests. Lastly, the increase in concerns following protests is highest when concern levels before the protests are low.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Brehm
- RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Berlin Office, Berlin, Germany.
- Hertie School, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Henri Gruhl
- RWI - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research, Berlin Office, Berlin, Germany.
- Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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Carlson JM, Foley J, Fang L. Climate change on the brain: Neural correlates of climate anxiety. J Anxiety Disord 2024; 103:102848. [PMID: 38431988 DOI: 10.1016/j.janxdis.2024.102848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is a global crisis impacting individuals' mental health. Climate anxiety is an emerging area of interest within popular culture and the scientific community. Yet, little is known about the mechanisms underlying climate anxiety. We provide evidence that climate anxiety is related to gray matter volume in the midcingulate cortex as well as its level of functional connectivity with the insula cortex. These neuroanatomical and neurofunctional features of climate anxiety are involved in identifying and anticipating potential threats within the environment and preparing an appropriate action response to such threats. These neural correlates align with those observed in anxiety disorders. Yet, climate anxiety itself as well as the neural correlates of climate anxiety were related to pro-environmental behavior. This may suggest that the midcingulate and insula are part of a network linked to an adaptive aspect of climate anxiety in motivating behavioral engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Carlson
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA.
| | - John Foley
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA
| | - Lin Fang
- Department of Psychological Science, Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, USA
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Quintyne K, Kelly C. Knowledge, attitudes, and perception of air pollution in Ireland. PUBLIC HEALTH IN PRACTICE 2023; 6:100406. [PMID: 37456905 PMCID: PMC10344793 DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim Air pollution remains a major global public health challenge; and Ireland is no exception to the human health implications of exposure ambient air pollutants. Accurate and timely information can be critical to mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes to poor air quality in Ireland to assist stakeholders in developing and implementing effective communication pieces and policies about the management of air pollution. Study design Cross-sectional population-based cohort. Method Quantitative data on knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) were collected from respondents living across Ireland, and the results were analysed with SPSS (Version 28.0). Results Among the 1005 respondents included in this study, the mean [SD] age was 46.1 [15.3] years; 53% were female (n = 530); and 66% and 35% of respondents were aware of air pollution and its adverse effects on health at a national and local level respectively (n = 668 and n = 353 respectively). In addition, there were significant relationships between socio-demographic and air pollution awareness. There were correlation between respondent's age, gender, socio-economic group, and locality in Ireland. Conclusion This study demonstrates that environmental health literacy around air pollution in critically lacking among respondents. Given that air pollution is an increasingly important global priority, opportunities need to create to improve reach and impact of communication of air quality health risk and mitigation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- K.I. Quintyne
- Health Service Executive (HSE) Public Health, Area A, Dr Steeven’s Hospital, Co Dublin, Ireland
- School of Public Health, University College Cork, Co Cork, Ireland
| | - C. Kelly
- Health Service Executive (HSE) Public Health, Area A, Dr Steeven’s Hospital, Co Dublin, Ireland
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Lilly KJ, Howard C, Zubielevitch E, Sibley CG. Thinking twice: examining gender differences in repetitive negative thinking across the adult lifespan. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1239112. [PMID: 38022916 PMCID: PMC10663279 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1239112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A wealth of literature shows that women report greater levels of repetitive negative thinking, particularly rumination, than men in adolescence and adulthood. However, little research has examined how these gender differences develop or change across the entire adult lifespan. Methods The present study addresses these oversights using a nationwide longitudinal probability sample of adults over 12 annual assessment points (N = 64,901; Mage = 42.50, range 18-81; 62.9% women) and a single-item measure of global repetitive negative thinking. Critically, we use multigroup cohort-sequential latent growth modeling to determine whether changes in this construct over time are due to (a) normative aging, (b) generational differences associated with the historical period one was born and raised in, or (c) a combination of these processes. Results Our results reveal that rumination peaks in young adulthood for both women and men but declines steadily thereafter, reaching its lowest levels at the end of the adult lifespan. That said, some gender and cohort differences emerged, with young women-particularly young cohorts-reporting higher levels of rumination than their male counterparts and older birth cohorts. Discussion Our study suggests that gender differences in rumination may be most prevalent among young birth cohorts, though future research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying these processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kieren J. Lilly
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Chloe Howard
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Chris G. Sibley
- School of Psychology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Kang W. Age and mental health moderate the association between environmental concern (EC) and smoking frequency: smoking as a polluting behavior. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1089148. [PMID: 37860793 PMCID: PMC10582950 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1089148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well-recognized that smoking is detrimental to the environment. However, much less is understood about smoking behavior from an environmental perspective with a focus on environmental concern (EC). This study aims to establish the association between EC and smoking frequency in smokers and test whether age and mental health moderate such an association. Obtained by analyzing data using regressions on smokers (N = 3,599) from Understanding Society: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), which is a representative sample in the UK, the results revealed that age and mental health moderate the association between EC and smoking frequency. This association is important to understand because smoking pollutes the environment, and very few studies have looked at smoking behavior from an environmental perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixi Kang
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Lilly KJ, Sibley CG, Osborne D. Perceived Relative Deprivation Across the Adult Lifespan: An Examination of Aging and Cohort Effects. PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY BULLETIN 2023:1461672231195332. [PMID: 37667668 DOI: 10.1177/01461672231195332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite being a core psychological construct for over 70 years, research has yet to examine how perceptions of deprivation relative to other individuals and/or groups develop across adulthood. As such, this preregistered study uses cohort-sequential latent growth modeling to examine changes in individual- and group-based relative deprivation (IRD and GRD, respectively) across the adult lifespan. Across 10 annual assessments of a nationwide random sample of adults (Ntotal = 58,878; ethnic minority n = 11,927; 62.7% women; ages 21-80), mean levels of IRD trended downward across the lifespan, whereas mean levels of GRD generally increased from young-to-middle adulthood before declining across late adulthood. Subtle cohort effects emerged for both constructs, although both IRD and GRD largely followed a normative aging process. Critically, the development of GRD-but not IRD-differed between ethnic groups, providing insights into how one's objective status may shape subjective (dis)advantage over time.
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Hepp J, Klein SA, Horsten LK, Urbild J, Lane SP. Introduction and behavioral validation of the climate change distress and impairment scale. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11272. [PMID: 37438436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37573-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Governmental agencies and the medical and psychological professions are calling for a greater focus on the negative mental health effects of climate change (CC). As a first step, the field needs measures to distinguish affective/emotional distress due to CC from impairment that requires further scientific and diagnostic attention and that may require treatment in the future. To this end, we constructed the climate change distress and impairment scale, which distinguishes CC distress (spanning anger, anxiety, and sadness) from impairment. In four studies (N = 1699), we developed and validated English and German versions of the scale. Across samples, spanning 2021-2022, CC distress was at least moderate, while we observed general moderate to high levels of distress and low to moderate levels of impairment. In three English-speaking samples, younger individuals and women were most affected by CC distress, whereas this was not the case in a German-speaking sample, suggesting sociopolitical influencing factors. We demonstrate convergent validity with previous measures and discriminant validity for general negative affectivity and depressive and generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, which underlines that CC distress is not in itself pathological. Employing a fully incentivized social dilemma paradigm, we demonstrate that CC distress and (to a lesser degree) CC impairment predict pro-environmental behavior, underscoring them as possible drivers, and targets, of climate-change mitigation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna Hepp
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany.
| | - Sina A Klein
- Systems Neuroscience in Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Experimental Psychology and Personality, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Luisa K Horsten
- Experimental Psychology and Personality, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Landau, Germany
| | - Jana Urbild
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Sean P Lane
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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Lubin RE, Edmondson D, Otto MW. Climate change views examined through a behavioral medicine frame: are there potential target mechanisms for change beyond political ideology? PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2023; 28:1938-1949. [PMID: 36912581 PMCID: PMC10497712 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2023.2185644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
The threat of climate change is associated with both profound health consequences and failures by many individuals to take preventive actions. Behavioral science research on health behavior engagement may serve as a lens through which to better understand attitudes associated with the threat of climate change. This study was designed to examine individual differences in attitudinal responses to climate change, understanding the degree to which these responses can be predicted by both political beliefs and more readily modified psychological factors commonly associated with health behavior engagement: locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, delay discounting, and intolerance of uncertainty. Participants (N = 234) were US adults (62% male; 57% Non-Hispanic White; 44% Democrat) who completed an online survey. Stepwise multiple linear regressions examined which variables provided non-redundant prediction in models of climate change beliefs and concerns. In addition to providing support for the role of political affiliation and related ideology in climate change views (9-23% variance), this study underscores the importance of a behavioral health frame in understanding climate change concerns and beliefs. Known risk factors for negative health behaviors - prominently, locus of control, anxiety sensitivity, and delay discounting - contributed strongly to the understanding of these views, accounting for 4-28% of variance. Our findings encourage greater attention to health behavior-related constructs for understanding attitudes relevant to climate change action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca E. Lubin
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Donald Edmondson
- Center for Behavioral Cardiovascular Health, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Michael W. Otto
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
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Claessens F, Castro EM, Jans A, Jacobs L, Seys D, Van Wilder A, Brouwers J, Van der Auwera C, De Ridder D, Vanhaecht K. Patients' and kin's perspective on healthcare quality compared to Lachman's multidimensional quality model: Focus group interviews. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:3151-3159. [PMID: 35843847 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2022.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To identify key attributes of healthcare quality relevant to patients and kin and to compare them to Lachman's multidimensional quality model. METHODS Four focus groups with patients and kin were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide and a purposive sampling method. Classical content analysis and constant comparison method were used to focus data analysis on individual and group level. RESULTS Communication with patients, kin and professionals emerged as a new dimension from interview transcripts. Other identified key attributes largely corresponded with Lachman's multidimensional quality model. They were mainly classified in dimensions: 'Partnership and Co-Production', 'Dignity and Respect' and 'Effectiveness'. Technical quality dimensions were linked to organisational aspects of care in terms of staffing levels and time. The dimension 'Eco-friendly' was not addressed by patients or kin. CONCLUSIONS The results enhance the comprehension of healthcare quality and contribute to its academic understanding by validating Lachman's multidimensional quality model from patients' and kin's perspective. The model robustness is increased by including communication as a quality dimension surrounding technical domains and core values. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The key attributes can serve as a holistic framework for healthcare organisations to design their quality management system. An instrument can be developed to measure key attributes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fien Claessens
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Eva Marie Castro
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Quality Management, Regionaal Ziekenhuis Heilig Hart Tienen, Tienen, Belgium
| | - Anneke Jans
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Quality Management, Sint-Trudo Ziekenhuis, Sint-Truiden, Belgium
| | - Laura Jacobs
- Department of Quality Management, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Deborah Seys
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Astrid Van Wilder
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jonas Brouwers
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Orthopaedics, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Van der Auwera
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Ridder
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Quality Management, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kris Vanhaecht
- Leuven Institute for Healthcare Policy - Department of Public Health, KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Quality Management, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Barchielli B, Cricenti C, Gallè F, Sabella EA, Liguori F, Da Molin G, Liguori G, Orsi GB, Giannini AM, Ferracuti S, Napoli C. Climate Changes, Natural Resources Depletion, COVID-19 Pandemic, and Russian-Ukrainian War: What Is the Impact on Habits Change and Mental Health? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11929. [PMID: 36231229 PMCID: PMC9565033 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191911929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Climate Change, Natural Resources Depletion, COVID-19, and Wars are some of the great challenges of our time. The consequences will affect psychological well-being and could have a harmful impact on mental health. This study aimed to assess the level of preoccupation and fears surrounding issues of the 21st-century and the implication for psychological well-being of the general population from Central/Southern Italy among different age groups. A questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, topics formulated ad-hoc about preoccupation, fears, habits, and willingness to change habits in the future related to the 21st-century challenges, and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales 21 (DASS-21) was administered online. A sample of 1831 participants (61% F; mean age 47.71 ± 17.30) was obtained. Results showed that young adults and older adults, respectively, reported greater and less psychological well-being. Young adults reported higher scores for preoccupation, changing habits, and willingness to change habits in the future, while older adults reported the lowest scores except for changing habits, also controlling for gender. Results for this variable, as well as correlations between the many variables described, rely on the specificity of age, and 21st-century challenges. Moreover, the main fears related to the 21st-century concerns were different based on both age and gender. In conclusion, the various stresses of the 21st-century discussed in this study have a relationship with personal well-being, and it is important to consider potential global mental health issues resulting from these stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Barchielli
- Department of Dynamic, Clinical Psychology and Health, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 1, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Clarissa Cricenti
- Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Gallè
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Elita Anna Sabella
- Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Cesare Battisti 1, 70122 Bari, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Liguori
- Family Psychotherapy Academy, Via Raffaele Morghen 181, 80129 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanna Da Molin
- Inter-University Research Centre “Population, Environment and Health”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Piazza Cesare Battisti 1, 70122 Bari, Italy
| | - Giorgio Liguori
- Department of Movement Sciences and Wellbeing, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Giovanni Battista Orsi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Giannini
- Department of Psychology, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via dei Marsi 78, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Ferracuti
- Department of Human Neuroscience, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro, 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Christian Napoli
- Department of Medical Surgical Sciences and Translational Medicine, “Sapienza” University of Rome, Via di Grottarossa 1035/1039, 00189 Rome, Italy
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Climate Change Related Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms Perceived by Medical Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159142. [PMID: 35897512 PMCID: PMC9332784 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
Climate change has drastic consequences on human physical and mental health. However, research on the psychological effects of climate change awareness is still inconclusive. To examine the mental burden posed by climate change awareness and potential resilience factors, n = 203 medical students were surveyed about their awareness of the implications of climate change. Furthermore, well-established mental health questionnaires (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PTSS-10, PSQ-20) were presented twice, in their original form and in a modified version to specifically ask about the respective psychological burden regarding climate change. For identification of potential resilience factors, measures for attachment style (RQ), structural abilities (OPD-SF), and sense of coherence (SOC-13) were used. The results of our study suggest that medical students in Germany have an increased risk to suffer from mental health problems and predominantly experience significant perceived stress in regard to climate change. However, the reported stress does not yet translate into depressive, anxious, or traumatic symptoms. Climate-related perceived stress correlates negatively with potential resilience factors preventing the development of mental disorders such as attachment style, structural abilities, and sense of coherence.
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Wullenkord MC, Tröger J, Hamann KRS, Loy LS, Reese G. Anxiety and climate change: a validation of the Climate Anxiety Scale in a German-speaking quota sample and an investigation of psychological correlates. CLIMATIC CHANGE 2021; 168:20. [PMID: 0 DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03234-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
AbstractThe climate crisis is an unprecedented existential threat that causes disturbing emotions, such as anxiety. Recently, Clayton and Karazsia measured climate anxiety as “a more clinically significant ‘anxious’ response to climate change” (2020, p. 9). To gain a more nuanced understanding of the phenomenon from an empirical psychological perspective, we translated the core of the Climate Anxiety Scale into German and assessed potential correlates in a large German-speaking quota sample (N = 1011, stratified by age and gender). Overall, people reported low levels of climate anxiety. Climate anxiety correlated positively with general anxiety and depressiveness, avoidance of climate change in everyday life, frustration of basic psychological needs, pro-environmental behavioral intentions, and policy support. It correlated negatively with different forms of climate denial and was unrelated to ideological beliefs. We were not able to replicate the two dimensions found in the original scale. Moreover, we argue that items appear to measure a general climate-related emotional impairment, rather than distinctly and comprehensively capturing climate anxiety. Thus, we encourage researchers to rework the scale and include an emotional factor in future research efforts.
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Hopwood CJ, Schwaba T, Milfont TL, Sibley CG, Bleidorn W. Personality change and sustainability attitudes and behaviors. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PERSONALITY 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/08902070211016260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Withstanding the climate crisis will depend in part on individuals behaving in a more environmentally sustainable manner. However, relatively little is known about the individual factors that promote sustainable attitudes and behaviors (SABs). Although there are established cross-sectional associations between personality traits and SABs, it is unclear whether changes in personality are related to increases in SABs over time, and how personality is differentially related to specific SABs. Using data from 61,479 participants in New Zealand, we tested preregistered hypotheses about how personality codevelops with valuing the environment, believing in climate change, concern about climate change, personal environmental efficacy, personal environmental sacrifice, and support for the Green Party. We found that SABs generally increased from 2009 to 2017, although there was variation across age cohorts, SAB variables, and samples. We replicated concurrent correlations between broad personality traits—particularly Agreeableness, Openness, and Honesty/Humility—and SABs and present novel evidence that increases in SAB are related to changes in traits, particularly Agreeableness. These findings have implications for both understanding the factors associated with changes in SABs over time and understanding the factors that drive personality change.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ted Schwaba
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, USA
| | | | - Chris G Sibley
- Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Wiebke Bleidorn
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis, USA
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