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Proulx K, Daelmans B, Baltag V, Banati P. Climate change impacts on child and adolescent health and well-being: A narrative review. J Glob Health 2024; 14:04061. [PMID: 38781568 PMCID: PMC11115477 DOI: 10.7189/jogh.14.04061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Worldwide, the climate is changing and affecting the health and well-being of children in many ways. In this review, we provided an overview of how climate change-related events may affect child and adolescent health and well-being, including children's mental and physical health, nutrition, safety and security, learning opportunities, and family caregiving and connectedness. Methods In this narrative review, we highlighted and discussed peer-reviewed evidence from 2012-23, primarily from meta-analyses and systematic reviews. The search strategy used a large and varied number of search terms across three academic databases to identify relevant literature. Results There was consistent evidence across systematic reviews of impact on four themes. Climate-related events are associated with a) increases in posttraumatic stress and other mental health disorders in children and adolescents, b) increases in asthma, respiratory illnesses, diarrheal diseases and vector-borne diseases, c) increases in malnutrition and reduced growth and d) disruptions to responsive caregiving and family functioning, which can be linked to poor caregiver mental health, stress and loss of resources. Evidence of violence against children in climate-related disaster contexts is inconclusive. There is a lack of systematic review evidence on the associations between climate change and children's learning outcomes. Conclusions Systematic review evidence consistently points to negative associations between climate change and children's physical and mental health, well-being, and family functioning. Yet, much remains unknown about the causal pathways linking climate-change-related events and mental and physical health, responsive relationships and connectedness, nutrition, and learning in children and adolescents. This evidence is urgently needed so that adverse health and other impacts from climate change can be prevented or minimised through well-timed and appropriate action.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernadette Daelmans
- World Health Organization, Child Health and Development Unit, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Valentina Baltag
- World Health Organization, Adolescent and Young Adult Health Unit, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Prerna Banati
- World Health Organization, Adolescent and Young Adult Health Unit, Department of Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health and Ageing, Geneva, Switzerland
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Ayalon L, Ulitsa N, AboJabel H, Engdau-Vanda S. "We Used to Have Four Seasons, but Now There Is Only One": Perceptions Concerning the Changing Climate and Environment in a Diverse Sample of Israeli Older Persons. J Appl Gerontol 2024; 43:527-535. [PMID: 38085273 PMCID: PMC10981184 DOI: 10.1177/07334648231212279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Solastalgia is the pain caused by the loss of solace and isolation from one's environment. Solastalgia is contrasted with nostalgia, which is defined as melancholy characterized by homesickness or the distance from one's home. The present study examines the two concepts of solastalgia and nostalgia in the context of climate change among diverse populations of older Israelis. In total, 50 older persons from four different population groups (e.g., veteran Israeli Jews, Israeli Arabs, immigrants from the former Soviet Union, and Ethiopian immigrants) were interviewed. All interviews were transcribed and analyzed thematically. Members of all four groups expressed emotional distress and grief associated with the changing climate, increased environmental pollution, and the disappearance of nature. Perceptions around the undesirability of these changes were quite unanimous, thus leading us to conclude that the outcomes associated with solastalgia and nostalgia are quite similar despite different etiological explanations.
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Peters JJ. An environmental justice fictional case study for engaging non-majors in human biology. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOLOGY EDUCATION 2024; 25:e0000524. [PMID: 38661412 PMCID: PMC11044616 DOI: 10.1128/jmbe.00005-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
The impacts of climate change are and will continue to be far-reaching, and environmental justice communities are disproportionately impacted due to environmental racism and related forms of oppression. Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education encourages that the connection between science and society be explicitly taught in science classrooms. Here, I describe a fictional case study where students decide how to allocate a budget at a non-profit organization tasked with mitigating environmental issues in a town that contains environmental justice communities. Students are each assigned a role in the community and must reach a consensus on their budget in small groups before the whole class votes on a consensus budget. Afterward, students perform a metacognitive activity that encourages them to reflect on the human health impacts of their decisions and how their role impacted their decision-making process. Quantitative and qualitative feedback from students shows that by the end of the course, students appreciate the importance of science literacy in understanding global issues and that they are able to connect environmental justice to their lives and coursework. This case study helps fill an unmet need in climate change education by allowing students to practice empathy in topics related to climate change and environmental justice.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Jacob Peters
- Curriculum Fellows Program, Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Micoulaud-Franchi JA, Coelho J, Geoffroy PA, Vecchierini MF, Poirot I, Royant-Parola S, Hartley S, Cugy D, Gronfier C, Gauld C, Rey M. Eco-anxiety: An adaptive behavior or a mental disorder? Results of a psychometric study. L'ENCEPHALE 2024:S0013-7006(23)00173-2. [PMID: 38429155 DOI: 10.1016/j.encep.2023.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Eco-anxiety is a complex construct that has been created to grasp the psychological impact of the consequences of global warming. The concept needs a reliably valid questionnaire to better evaluate its impact on the risk of anxiety and depressive disorders. The Eco-Anxiety Questionnaire (EAQ-22) evaluates two dimensions: 'habitual ecological anxiety' and 'distress related to eco-anxiety'. However, a version in French, one of the world's widely spoken languages, was until now lacking. We aimed to translate and validate the French EAQ-22 and to evaluate the prevalence of the level of the two dimensions of eco-anxiety and the relationship with anxiety and depressive symptoms in a representative adult sample of the French general population. METHODS This study was performed under the auspices of the Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance (INSV). Participants (18-65 years) were recruited by an institute specialized in conducting online surveys of representative population samples (quota sampling). Two native French speakers and two native English speakers performed a forward-backward translation of the questionnaire. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale (HAD) was administered to assess anxiety (HAD-A) and depressive (HAD-D) symptoms and for external validity. Internal structural validity and external validity were analysed. RESULTS Evaluation was performed on 1004 participants: mean age 43.47 years (SD=13.41, range: [19-66]); 54.1% (n=543) women. Using the HAD, 312 (31.1%) patients had current clinically significant anxiety symptoms (HAD-A>10) and 150 (14.9%) had current clinically significant depressive symptoms (HAD-D>10). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.934, indicating very good internal consistency. Correlation between EAQ-22 and HAD scores was low (r[1004]=0.209, P<0.001), 'habitual ecological anxiety' was correlated less with HAD-A and HAD-D than 'distress related to eco-anxiety', indicating good external validity. CONCLUSION This study validates the French EAQ-22 and paves the way for using the EAQ-22 as a global tool for assessing eco-anxiety. Further prospective studies are now required to better evaluate the impact of eco-anxiety on the occurrence of anxiety and depressive disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Arthur Micoulaud-Franchi
- University Sleep Medicine Department, University Hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Leon, 33076 Bordeaux, France; UMR CNRS 6033 SANPSY, University Hospital of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France.
| | - Julien Coelho
- University Sleep Medicine Department, University Hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Leon, 33076 Bordeaux, France; UMR CNRS 6033 SANPSY, University Hospital of Bordeaux, 33076 Bordeaux, France
| | - Pierre A Geoffroy
- Département de psychiatrie et d'addictologie, GHU Paris Nord, DMU Neurosciences, hôpital Bichat - Claude-Bernard, AP-HP, 75018 Paris, France; GHU Paris - Psychiatry & Neurosciences, 1, rue Cabanis, 75014 Paris, France; Université Paris Cité, NeuroDiderot, Inserm, 75019 Paris, France
| | - Marie-Françoise Vecchierini
- Centre du sommeil et de la vigilance, hôpital Hôtel Dieu, AP-HP, Paris, France; Sorbonne Paris Cité, université Paris Descartes, Paris, France; Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France
| | - Isabelle Poirot
- Service de psychiatrie adulte, hôpital Fontan, CHU de Lille, Lille, France; Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France
| | | | - Sarah Hartley
- Réseau Morphée, Garches, France; EA 4047, Sleep Center, Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, AP-HP, université de Versailles Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, Garches, France
| | - Didier Cugy
- University Sleep Medicine Department, University Hospital of Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Leon, 33076 Bordeaux, France; Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France
| | - Claude Gronfier
- Lyon Neuroscience Research Center (CRNL), Neurocampus, Waking Team, Inserm UMRS 1028, CNRS UMR 5292, Lyon, France; Université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, université de Lyon, 69000 Lyon, France; Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Gauld
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Grenoble, avenue du Maquis du Grésivaudan, 38000 Grenoble, France; Institut des sciences cognitives Marc-Jeannerod, UMR 5229 CNRS & université Claude-Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Marc Rey
- Institut national du sommeil et de la vigilance, Paris, France
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Shreedhar G, Sabherwal A, Maldonado R. Cli-fi videos can increase charitable donations: experimental evidence from the United Kingdom. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1176077. [PMID: 38314256 PMCID: PMC10836214 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1176077] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent research has begun to investigate if climate fiction, or cli-fi, can increase people's support for pro-climate initiatives. Emerging evidence focuses on whether cli-fi stories affect people's self-reported emotions, attitudes, and intentions. Few studies, however, examine the effect of such stories on revealed behavior, and whether the cli-fi story medium, i.e., whether stories are presented in text, audio, or audio-visual format, matters. We investigate the causal effect of cli-fi stories, and the medium through which they are communicated (textual, audio, or audio-visual) on self-reported support for climate policy, individual and collective action intentions, and a revealed measure of charitable donations. In a pre-registered online experiment (n = 1,085 UK adults), participants were randomly assigned to one of 5 conditions - to read scientific information about climate change (scientific information condition), read a story unrelated to the environment (control), read a cli-fi story in which a protagonist took intentional pro-environmental actions (fiction text), listen to the same cli-fi story in audio format (fiction audio), or watch an animation of the cli-fi story (fiction video). When comparing the fiction-text, fact-text, and control conditions, we found that cli-fi stories are not always more effective than alternative climate communications: participants in the fact-text condition reported higher support for climate policies, and intentions of taking individual environmental actions, and negative feelings of sadness, disappointment, and guilt, compared to the text-based control and cli-fi text condition. When comparing the cli-fi media format, we found that cli-fi videos were most effective in increasing pro-environmental charitable donations in an incentivized choice task, and self-reported feelings of happiness, hope, and inspiration. The findings show that scientific information about the climate and climate-fiction have an important place in the climate communications toolkit and can offer distinct pathways to enhance support for policy and behavioral change. Communicators seeking to inspire individual pro-environmental actions can consider telling cli-fi stories in video, which may be more compelling. And communicators seeking to enhance public support for societal changes, via climate policies, may benefit from disseminating scientific information about climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ganga Shreedhar
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anandita Sabherwal
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ricardo Maldonado
- Department of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences, London School of Economics and Political Science, London, United Kingdom
- Cine70, Lima, Peru
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Newberry Le Vay J, Cunningham A, Soul L, Dave H, Hoath L, Lawrance EL. Integrating mental health into climate change education to inspire climate action while safeguarding mental health. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1298623. [PMID: 38259528 PMCID: PMC10800611 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1298623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Climate change is the greatest threat humanity faces, and puts at risk the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Climate change education must equip children and young people with the knowledge, skills and resilience to live in an uncertain future, sustainably take relevant climate action and work in climate careers. As attention on climate change education grows, this is a critical moment for the mental health community to ensure mental health and wellbeing considerations are embedded. Critically, appropriate integration of mental health can enable these very necessary goals of equipping children and young people to live and work in a future where climate change looms large. This paper explores why promoting good mental health and wellbeing and building psychological resilience can help achieve climate change education outcomes, and why not doing so risks harming children and young people's mental health. It also explores how integrating discussions about emotions, mental health, and coping strategies within climate change education can be a route into wider discussions about mental health, to support children and young people in the context of rising mental health needs. Learning from an existing approach to promoting good mental health and wellbeing in schools (the 'whole school approach') provides the opportunity to explore one avenue through which such an integrated approach could be implemented in practice. Identifying appropriate mechanisms to integrate mental health into climate change education will require co-design and research with educators and young people, and addressing systemic barriers facing the schools sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Newberry Le Vay
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Grantham Institute—Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Laura Soul
- Natural History Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Heena Dave
- Climate Adapted Pathways for Education, UK Wide, United Kingdom
- Teacher Development Trust, London, United Kingdom
- School of Education, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Leigh Hoath
- Climate Adapted Pathways for Education, UK Wide, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Social Sciences and Education, Leeds Trinity University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Emma L. Lawrance
- Institute of Global Health Innovation, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Grantham Institute—Climate Change and the Environment, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Mental Health Innovations, London, United Kingdom
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Fazel M, Soneson E. Current evidence and opportunities in child and adolescent public mental health: a research review. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2023; 64:1699-1719. [PMID: 37771261 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A public mental health lens is increasingly required to better understand the complex and multifactorial influences of interpersonal, community and institutional systems on the mental health of children and adolescents. METHODS This research review (1) provides an overview of public mental health and proposes a new interactional schema that can guide research and practice, (2) summarises recent evidence on public mental health interventions for children and adolescents, (3) highlights current challenges for this population that might benefit from additional attention and (4) discusses methodological and conceptual hurdles and proposes potential solutions. RESULTS In our evidence review, a broad range of universal, selective and indicated interventions with a variety of targets, mechanisms and settings were identified, some of which (most notably parenting programmes and various school-based interventions) have demonstrated small-to-modest positive effects. Few, however, have achieved sustained mental health improvements. CONCLUSIONS There is an opportunity to re-think how public mental health interventions are designed, evaluated and implemented. Deliberate design, encompassing careful consideration of the aims and population-level impacts of interventions, complemented by measurement that embraces complexity through more in-depth characterisation, or 'phenotyping', of interpersonal and environmental elements is needed. Opportunities to improve child and adolescent mental health outcomes are gaining unprecedented momentum. Innovative new methodology, heightened public awareness, institutional interest and supportive funding can enable enhanced study of public mental health that does not shy away from complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mina Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emma Soneson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Patrick R, Noy S, Henderson-Wilson C, Hayward J, Allender S, Gunasiri H, Bruges N, Snell T, Capetola T. Minding our futures: Understanding climate-related mental wellbeing using systems science. Health Place 2023; 84:103134. [PMID: 37976915 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2023.103134] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Climate change impacts mental wellbeing through complex pathways and young people are among the most vulnerable to climate-related anxiety. Minding our Futures used methods from systems science to explore this issue and identify actions to promote mental wellbeing for young Australians (18-24 years). METHODS This qualitative study used Group Model Building via three online facilitated workshops recruiting health, youth and climate practitioners and researchers engaged with young people around climate change and/or mental wellbeing (N = 14). Analysis created a systems map and rich description of the relationships between causal factors and their impact on young people. RESULTS Three themes emerged; "Government, Services and Structures" highlighted underlying structural issues including capitalism and political powerlessness; "Social Norms, Communication and Taking Action" reflected social media and misinformation; and "Personal Experience of Environmental Disasters" described the impact of climate-related disasters and importance of nature and place connection. Participants specified connections between the themes and mental health outcomes. CONCLUSION This novel applied translational research process supported key informants to design structural responses to a complex and critical public health issue. Their vision was a multi-faceted approach, co-led with young people, drawing on Indigenous knowledges and change-focused policy, community empowerment and nature-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Patrick
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Carlton, Australia.
| | - Sue Noy
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Claire Henderson-Wilson
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Josh Hayward
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Steven Allender
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia; Global Centre for Preventive Health and Nutrition, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Hasini Gunasiri
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Nicole Bruges
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Tristan Snell
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
| | - Teresa Capetola
- School of Health & Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia
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Stafford AM, Walton AL, Gonzalez-Guarda RM. Growing Up in an Era of Storms and Stress-Promoting Hope Among Adolescents in the Face of Climate Change. JAMA HEALTH FORUM 2023; 4:e233834. [PMID: 37707832 DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2023.3834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This JAMA Forum discusses climate change efforts to promote hope among adolescents.
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Treble M, Cosma A, Martin G. Child and Adolescent Psychological Reactions to Climate Change: A Narrative Review Through an Existential Lens. Curr Psychiatry Rep 2023; 25:357-363. [PMID: 37354373 DOI: 10.1007/s11920-023-01430-y] [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] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A narrative review was conducted on research surrounding children's and adolescents' experiences of emotional and mental health and wellbeing in relation to climate change; we also explored potential connections to existential themes. RECENT FINDINGS Children and adolescents represent a vulnerable group in relation to experiencing negative mental health impacts due to climate change. Further, this population experiences a wide range of emotions in relation to climate change, with most research reporting on worry and anxiety. Several studies that explored associations between such emotions and mental health outcomes found positive associations. Additionally, research suggests that there is an existential underpinning to how climate change is experienced by children and adolescents. Although important contributions have been made in recent years, knowledge gaps remain. An understanding of the psychological responses children and adolescents have in relation to climate change is needed to inform practice and policy. This may be supported by an existential framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Treble
- Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3, Canada
| | - Alina Cosma
- Department of Sociology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Gina Martin
- Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, T9S 3A3, Canada.
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Jylhä KM, Ojala M, Odisho S, Riise A. Climate-friendly food-choice intentions among emerging adults: extending the theory of planned behavior with objective ambivalence, climate-change worry and optimism. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1178449. [PMID: 37408959 PMCID: PMC10319051 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1178449] [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: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Climate-friendly food choices are still relatively rarely addressed in studies investigating climate engagement, particularly among young people. To address this research gap, we conducted a questionnaire study with senior high school students (N = 474). Our overarching theoretical framework is the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), which we extended with emotional factors (climate-change worry and optimism) and attitudinal ambivalence. We found that all factors included, except for optimism, correlated with the food-choice intentions. In multiple regression analyses, worry was the second strongest predictor, after attitudes. Moreover, a measure of objective ambivalence moderated the correlation between attitudes and intentions by weakening it. The results support the validity of using the TPB model when explaining intentions to make climate-friendly food choices among emerging adults. However, our results suggest that it is also important to consider emotions-in this case climate-change worry-and the existence of conflicting evaluations about choosing climate-friendly food.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Ojala
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences (Psychology), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Sandy Odisho
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences (Psychology), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Anja Riise
- School of Behavioural, Social and Legal Sciences (Psychology), Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
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Brown A, Collado S, Evans GW, Loebach JE. Designing learning environments for promoting young people's constructive coping with climate change. ADVANCES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND BEHAVIOR 2023; 65:169-198. [PMID: 37481297 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acdb.2023.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
This chapter first summarizes how the consequences of global climate change (GCC) can harm young people's well-being through physical health impacts and awareness of GCC. We then outline how youth may cope with GCC by denying the problem, distancing themselves from it, or taking individual actions. However, the coping strategy shown to have the best mental well-being outcomes relates to collective actions and agency. Next, an examination of school-based GCC interventions reveals that engaging, participatory approaches may be more effective in promoting positive outcomes for youth and climate action. Our main contribution is a discussion of how the evidence-based design of learning environments presents an undeveloped but potentially effective way to enhance interventions for the development of constructive GCC coping strategies among youth. Utilizing environmental affordances and design as scaffolding can guide the design of learning environments that give youth opportunities for active cognitive, emotional, and physical engagement with climate change education. Natural environments may be particularly effective in supporting active engagement and pathways to constructive coping. More research is needed to understand what design features underly these pathways to improved well-being and GCC coping strategies that may have positive implications for youth climate action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail Brown
- Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Silvia Collado
- Department of Psychology and Sociology, Universidad de Zaragoza, Teruel, Spain
| | - Gary W Evans
- Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA; Department of Psychology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Janet E Loebach
- Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
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