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Patwary MM, Bardhan M, Haque MA, Moniruzzaman S, Gustavsson J, Khan MMH, Koivisto J, Salwa M, Mashreky SR, Rahman AKMF, Tasnim A, Islam MR, Alam MA, Hasan M, Harun MAYA, Nyberg L, Islam MA. Impact of extreme weather events on mental health in South and Southeast Asia: A two decades of systematic review of observational studies. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 250:118436. [PMID: 38354890 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Extreme weather events in South and Southeast Asia exert profound psychosocial impacts, amplifying the prevalence of mental illness. Despite their substantial consequences, there is a dearth of research and representation in the current literature. We conducted a systematic review of observational studies published between January 1, 2000, and January 20, 2024, to examine the impact of extreme weather events on the mental health of the South and Southeast Asian population. Quality assessment of the included studies was conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) quality appraisal checklist. The search retrieved 70 studies that met the inclusion criteria and were included in our review. Most were from India (n = 22), and most used a cross-sectional study design (n = 55). Poor mental health outcomes were associated with six types of extreme weather events: floods, storm surges, typhoons, cyclones, extreme heat, and riverbank erosion. Most studies (n = 41) reported short-term outcome measurements. Findings included outcomes with predictable symptomatology, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, general psychological distress, emotional distress and suicide. Limited studies on long-term effects showed higher mental disorders after floods and typhoons, while cyclone-exposed individuals had more short-term distress. Notably, the review identified over 50 risk factors influencing mental health outcomes, categorized into six classes: demographic, economic, health, disaster exposure, psychological, and community factors. However, the quantitative evidence linking extreme weather events to mental health was limited due to a lack of longitudinal data, lack of control groups, and the absence of objective exposure measurements. The review found some compelling evidence linking extreme weather events to adverse mental health in the South and Southeast Asia region. Future research should focus on longitudinal study design to identify the specific stressors and climatic factors influencing the relationship between climate extremes and mental health in this region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mondira Bardhan
- Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh; Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, USA
| | - Md Atiqul Haque
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden.
| | - Syed Moniruzzaman
- Department of Political, Historical and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden.
| | - Johanna Gustavsson
- Department of Political, Historical and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden
| | - Md Maruf Haque Khan
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jenni Koivisto
- Department of Political, Historical and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden; Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS), c/o Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, UPPSALA, Sweden
| | - Marium Salwa
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Saidur Rahman Mashreky
- Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, (CIPRB), Bangladesh; Department of Public Health, North South University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - A K M Fazlur Rahman
- Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden; Centre for Injury Prevention and Research, (CIPRB), Bangladesh
| | - Anika Tasnim
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Redwanul Islam
- Department of Public Health and Informatics, Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ashraful Alam
- Department of Computational Diagnostic Radiology and Preventive, Medicine, The University of Tokyo Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mahadi Hasan
- Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh
| | | | - Lars Nyberg
- Department of Political, Historical and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden; Centre of Natural Hazards and Disaster Science (CNDS), c/o Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, UPPSALA, Sweden
| | - Md Atikul Islam
- Environmental Science Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, 9208, Bangladesh; Center for Societal Risk Research (CSR), Karlstad University, Sweden.
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Nöthling J, Gibbs A, Washington L, Gigaba SG, Willan S, Abrahams N, Jewkes R. Change in emotional distress, anxiety, depression and PTSD from pre- to post-flood exposure in women residing in low-income settings in South Africa. Arch Womens Ment Health 2024; 27:201-218. [PMID: 37989799 PMCID: PMC10933147 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01384-3] [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: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Floods are increasing in frequency and may increase the risk for experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, depression and PTSD. The aim of this study was to determine the extent of damage, loss, injury and death resulting from floods that occurred in and around the city of Durban, South Africa, in April 2022, and associated changes in mental health pre- to post-floods in a low-income setting. Seventy-three women between the ages of 18 and 45, residing in flood affected, low-income settings, were interviewed prior to the floods occurring. Mental health measures were repeated with 69 of the 73 women during the post-flood interview along with a questionnaire measuring flood-related exposures. Loss of infrastructure (lacked access to drinking water, electricity, fresh food, could not travel to work, had to stay in a shelter and could not get hold of friends or family) was a predictor of post-flood change in levels of emotional distress and anxiety. Higher levels of prior trauma exposure were associated with higher post-flood levels of emotional distress. Higher pre-flood food insecurity was also associated with higher post-flood anxiety. Women affected by poverty, food insecurity and a history of trauma are vulnerable to the additive adverse mental health effects of floods. Proactive approaches to diminishing the impact of floods on the livelihood of women is needed and post-flood relieve efforts may be more affective if they are enhanced by providing mental health support.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Nöthling
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa.
| | - A Gibbs
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
- Department of Psychology, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - S G Gigaba
- Centre for Rural Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - S Willan
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
- The School of Applied Human Sciences (Psychology), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - N Abrahams
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Public Health and Family Medicine: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - R Jewkes
- Gender and Health Research Unit, South African Medical Research Council, Francie van Zijl DriveTygerberg, PO Box 19070, Cape Town, 7505, South Africa
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Tiyuri A, Rasoulian M, Hajebi A, Naserbakht M, Shabani A, Hakim Shooshtari M, Rezapour A, Motevalian SA. Psychological impact of the Spring 2019 flood among adult population of Iran. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2023; 69:1916-1927. [PMID: 37329163 DOI: 10.1177/00207640231180824] [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] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND From March to April 2019, a flood occurred in several regions of Iran. The most affected provinces were Golestan, Lorestan, and Khuzestan. AIMS The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of psychological distress and depression among the affected adult population 6 months after the event. METHODS A cross-sectional household survey with face-to-face interview was carried out on a random sample of 1,671 adults aged above 15 years living in the flood-affected areas from August to September 2019. We applied GHQ-28 and PHQ-9 for the assessment of psychological distress and depression, respectively. RESULTS The prevalence of psychological distress and depression were 33.6% (95% CI [29.5, 37.7]) and 23.0% (95% CI [19.4, 26.7]), respectively. Determinants of psychological distress were a history of mental disorders (Adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.7), primary (AOR = 2.9) or high school (AOR = 2.4) education (vs. university), no compensation received (AOR = 2.1), high damage to assets (AOR = 1.8), the house flooded more than 1 m (AOR = 1.8), female gender (AOR = 1.8), and limited access to health care services (AOR = 1.8). Determinants of depression were unemployment (AOR = 5.3) or being a housewife (AOR = 2.7), a history of mental disorders (AOR = 4.1), high damage to assets (AOR = 2.5), no compensation received (AOR = 2.0), the house flooded more than 1 m (AOR = 1.8), limited access to health care services (AOR = 1.8), and high wealth index (AOR = 1.7). CONCLUSION The results of this study revealed a high prevalence of psychological distress and depression in the flood-affected adult population. The high-risk group, particularly flood victims who had a history of mental disorders, and those exposed to severe damages of flood, should be prioritized for screening, and mental health services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Tiyuri
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Rasoulian
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ahmad Hajebi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB), Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Naserbakht
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Shabani
- Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mitra Hakim Shooshtari
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Aziz Rezapour
- Health Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Abbas Motevalian
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB), Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Thawonmas R, Hashizume M, Kim Y. Projections of Temperature-Related Suicide under Climate Change Scenarios in Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:117012. [PMID: 37995154 PMCID: PMC10666824 DOI: 10.1289/ehp11246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The impact of climate change on mental health largely remains to be evaluated. Although growing evidence has reported a short-term association between suicide and temperature, future projections of temperature-attributable suicide have not been thoroughly examined. OBJECTIVES We aimed to project the excess temperature-related suicide mortality in Japan under three climate change scenarios until the 2090s. METHODS Daily time series of mean temperature and the number of suicide deaths in 1973-2015 were collected for 47 prefectures in Japan. A two-stage time-stratified case-crossover analysis was used to estimate the temperature-suicide association. We obtained the modeled daily temperature series using five general circulation models under three climate change scenarios from the latest Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios (SSPs): SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. We projected the excess temperature-related suicide mortality until 2099 for each scenario and evaluated the net relative changes compared with the 2010s. RESULTS During 1973-2015, there was a total of 1,049,592 suicides in Japan. Net increases in temperature-related excess suicide mortality were estimated under all scenarios. The net change in 2090-2099 compared with 2010-2019 was 1.3% [95% empirical confidence interval (eCI): 0.6, 2.4] for the intermediate-emission scenario (SSP2-4.5), 0.6% (95% eCI: 0.1, 1.6) for a low-emission scenario (SSP1-2.6), and 2.4% (95% eCI: 0.7, 3.9) for the extreme scenario (SSP5-8.5). The increases were greater the more extreme the scenarios were, with the highest increase under the most extreme scenario (SSP5-8.5). DISCUSSION This study indicates that Japan may experience a net increase in excess temperature-related suicide mortality, especially under the intermediate and extreme scenarios. The findings underscore the importance of mitigation policies. Further investigations of the future impacts of climate change on mental health including suicide are warranted. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP11246.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramita Thawonmas
- School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoonhee Kim
- Department of Global Environmental Health, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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Golitaleb M, Mazaheri E, Bonyadi M, Sahebi A. Prevalence of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder After Flood: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:890671. [PMID: 35815011 PMCID: PMC9259936 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.890671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Flood as the most common kind of the natural disasters has unpleased short, medium, and long-term consequences on the victims' welfare, relationships, and physical and mental health. One of the most common mental health disorders in these victims is Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of PTSD on the flood victims. Methods Data resources including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Embase, Google Scholar, conference and congress papers, key journals, the reference list of selected articles as well as systematic reviews were searched to identify studies that reported the prevalence of PTSD in flood victims. Random Effect Model was used to perform meta-analysis of the studies. Cochran test and I2 indicator were used to explore heterogeneity between the studies. Publication bias of the study was evaluated using Begg'test. Data were analyzed by STATA (version 14) software. Results After a comprehensive search, 515 papers were extracted. After eliminating duplicates and final screening, 23 studies were selected and entered the meta-analysis phase after qualitative evaluation. The results showed that the prevalence of PTSD in flood victims is 29.48% (95% CI: 18.64-40.31, I2 = 99.3%, p-value < 0.001). Conclusion The results of the present study showed that the prevalence of PTSD is relatively high in the flood victims. So, it is necessary to take preventive, supportive, therapeutic and effective actions for them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamad Golitaleb
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Elaheh Mazaheri
- Health Information Technology Research Center, Student Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahtab Bonyadi
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Ali Sahebi
- Non-communicable Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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Sharpe I, Davison CM. Climate change, climate-related disasters and mental disorder in low- and middle-income countries: a scoping review. BMJ Open 2021; 11:e051908. [PMID: 34649848 PMCID: PMC8522671 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Climate change and climate-related disasters adversely affect mental health. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disasters and often lack adequate mental healthcare infrastructure. We used the scoping review methodology to determine how exposure to climate change and climate-related disasters influences the presence of mental disorders among those living in LMICs. We also aimed to recognise existing gaps in this area of literature. METHODS This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. To identify relevant studies, we searched five electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, APA PsycInfo and Sociological Abstracts) from 1 January 2007 to 31 December 2019. We also searched the grey literature. Included studies had an adult-focused LMIC population, a climate change or climate-related disaster exposure and a mental disorder outcome. Relevant study information was extracted and synthesised. RESULTS Fifty-eight studies were identified, most of which (n=48) employed a cross-sectional design. The most commonly studied exposure-outcome combinations were flood-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (n=28), flood-related depression (n=15) and storm-related PTSD (n=13). The majority of studies identified a positive exposure-outcome association. However, few studies included a baseline or comparator (ie, unexposed) group, thereby limiting our understanding of the magnitude or nature of this association. There was also great heterogeneity in this literature, making studies difficult to pool or compare. Several research gaps were identified including the lack of longitudinal studies and non-uniformity of geographic coverage. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this was the first scoping review to investigate the relationship between climate change and climate-related disaster exposures and mental disorder outcomes in LMICs. Our findings support the need for further research, but also highlight that mental health should be a priority within LMIC climate change policy considerations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isobel Sharpe
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Colleen M Davison
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Chique C, Hynds P, Nyhan MM, Lambert S, Boudou M, O'Dwyer J. Psychological impairment and extreme weather event (EWE) exposure, 1980-2020: A global pooled analysis integrating mental health and well-being metrics. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2021; 238:113840. [PMID: 34543982 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2021.113840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 09/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Extreme Weather Events (EWEs) impose a substantial health and socio-economic burden on exposed populations. Projected impacts on public health, based on increasing EWE frequencies since the 1950s, alongside evidence of human-mediated climatic change represents a growing concern. To date, the impacts of EWEs on mental health remain ambiguous, largely due to the inherent complexities in linking extreme weather phenomena with psychological status. This exploratory investigation provides a new empirical and global perspective on the psychological toll of EWEs by exclusively focusing on psychological morbidity among individuals exposed to such events. Morbidity data collated from a range of existing psychological and well-being measures have been integrated to develop a single ("holistic") metric, namely, psychological impairment. Morbidity, and impairment, were subsequently pooled for key disorders-, specifically PTSD, anxiety and depression. A "composite" (any impairment) post-exposure pooled-prevalence rate of 23% was estimated, with values of 24% calculated for depression and ⁓17% for both PTSD and anxiety. Notably, calculated pooled odds ratios (pOR = 1.9) indicate a high likelihood of any negative psychological outcome (+90%) following EWE exposure. Pooled analyses of reported risk factors (p < 0.05) highlight the pronounced impacts of EWEs among individuals with higher levels of event exposure or experienced stressors (14.5%) and socio-demographic traits traditionally linked to vulnerable sub-populations, including female gender (10%), previous history (i.e., pre-event) of psychological impairment (5.5%), lower socio-economic status (5.5%), and a lower education level (5.2%). Inherent limitations associated with collating mental health data from populations exposed to EWEs, and key knowledge gaps in the field are highlighted. Study findings provide a robust evidence base for developing and implementing public health intervention strategies aimed at ameliorating the psychological impacts of extreme weather among exposed populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Chique
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - P Hynds
- Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESIH), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - M M Nyhan
- School of Engineering & Architecture, MaREI Centre for Energy, Climate & Marine & Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland; Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, United States
| | - S Lambert
- School of Applied Psychology Research, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M Boudou
- Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESIH), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J O'Dwyer
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Science (BEES), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geoscience, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Cianconi P, Betrò S, Janiri L. The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health: A Systematic Descriptive Review. Front Psychiatry 2020; 11:74. [PMID: 32210846 PMCID: PMC7068211 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2020.00074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Climate change is one of the great challenges of our time. The consequences of climate change on exposed biological subjects, as well as on vulnerable societies, are a concern for the entire scientific community. Rising temperatures, heat waves, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, droughts, fires, loss of forest, and glaciers, along with disappearance of rivers and desertification, can directly and indirectly cause human pathologies that are physical and mental. However, there is a clear lack in psychiatric studies on mental disorders linked to climate change. METHODS Literature available on PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane library until end of June 2019 were reviewed. The total number of articles and association reports was 445. From these, 163 were selected. We looked for the association between classical psychiatric disorders such as anxiety schizophrenia, mood disorder and depression, suicide, aggressive behaviors, despair for the loss of usual landscape, and phenomena related to climate change and extreme weather. Review of literature was then divided into specific areas: the course of change in mental health, temperature, water, air pollution, drought, as well as the exposure of certain groups and critical psychological adaptations. RESULTS Climate change has an impact on a large part of the population, in different geographical areas and with different types of threats to public health. However, the delay in studies on climate change and mental health consequences is an important aspect. Lack of literature is perhaps due to the complexity and novelty of this issue. It has been shown that climate change acts on mental health with different timing. The phenomenology of the effects of climate change differs greatly-some mental disorders are common and others more specific in relation to atypical climatic conditions. Moreover, climate change also affects different population groups who are directly exposed and more vulnerable in their geographical conditions, as well as a lack of access to resources, information, and protection. Perhaps it is also worth underlining that in some papers the connection between climatic events and mental disorders was described through the introduction of new terms, coined only recently: ecoanxiety, ecoguilt, ecopsychology, ecological grief, solastalgia, biospheric concern, etc. CONCLUSIONS The effects of climate change can be direct or indirect, short-term or long-term. Acute events can act through mechanisms similar to that of traumatic stress, leading to well-understood psychopathological patterns. In addition, the consequences of exposure to extreme or prolonged weather-related events can also be delayed, encompassing disorders such as posttraumatic stress, or even transmitted to later generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Cianconi
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Luigi Janiri
- Department of Neurosciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Catholic University, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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