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The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Climate Change".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2022) | Viewed by 24489

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Jo Longman

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Guest Editor

University Centre for Rural Health, The University of Sydney, P.O. Box 3074, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia
Interests: the mental health impacts of climate change; building resilience to the mental health impacts of climate change in rural communities; qualitative methods; mixed methods; rural health services; tobacco control (support for cessation in pregnancy); chronic disease and potentially preventable hospitalisation; evaluation

Dr. Rebecca Patrick

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Guest Editor

School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood 3217, Australia
Interests: health promotion practice in a climate-effected world; ecological determinants of health; health and nature co-benefit interventions; climate change and mental health; health, sustainability and urban development; evaluation indicators for health, climate and sustainability; scholarship of tertiary education including experiential learning, reflective practice and work integrated learning; health-related education for sustainability

Dr. Fiona Charlson

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Guest Editor

1. Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Queensland Health, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
2. School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia
3. Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
Interests: global mental health; climate change

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change has important health impacts, including those upon mental health and wellbeing. These impacts are likely to worsen given predicted climate change into the future, including increases in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather-related events. Research on the mental health impacts of climate change is a relatively new field, and there remain substantial gaps in our understanding. In 2009 the World Health Organization outlined five global research priorities for protecting health in the context of climate change. At present, only one of these, the assessment of risk, has received much attention in the published literature. This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health focuses on the current state of knowledge on the link between climate change and mental health and wellbeing. New research papers, including methodological papers, reviews, position papers, brief reports, and commentaries, are welcome. We particularly welcome papers dealing with effective interventions for building resilience to the mental health and wellbeing impacts of climate change, as well as papers exploring what makes populations vulnerable to the mental health and wellbeing risks of climate change.

Dr. Jo Longman
Dr. Rebecca Patrick
Dr. Fiona Charlson
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2500 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

climate change
mental health
natural disasters
health disparity
minority and vulnerable populations
resilience
psychological
health inequities

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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33 pages, 875 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating the Health Impacts of Climate Change among People with Pre-Existing Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

by Lisa Woodland, Priyanjali Ratwatte, Revati Phalkey and Emma L. Gillingham

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5563; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085563 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2985

Abstract

Climate change is the greatest threat to global public health, although the impacts on mental health are relatively understudied. Furthermore, there is a lack of consensus about the effects of climate change on individuals with pre-existing mental health problems. This review aimed to identify the health impacts of climate change on people with pre-existing mental health problems. The search was conducted across three databases; studies were included if they involved participants who had mental health problem(s) before a climate-driven event and reported on health outcomes post-event. A total of thirty-one studies met the full inclusion criteria. The study characteristics included 6 climate-driven events: heat events, floods, wildfires, wildfire and flood, hurricanes, and droughts, and 16 categories of pre-existing mental health problems, with depression, and non-specified mental health problems being the most common. The majority of the studies (90%, n = 28) suggest an association between the presence of pre-existing mental health problems and the likelihood of adverse health impacts (e.g., increased mortality risk, new symptom presentation, and an exacerbation of symptoms). To mitigate the exacerbation of health inequalities, people with pre-existing mental health problems should be included in adaption guidance and/or plans that mitigate the health impacts of climate change, future policy, reports, and frameworks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

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10 pages, 757 KiB

Open AccessArticle

How Can Climate Change Anxiety Induce Both Pro-Environmental Behaviours and Eco-Paralysis? The Mediating Role of General Self-Efficacy

by Matteo Innocenti, Gabriele Santarelli, Gaia Surya Lombardi, Lorenzo Ciabini, Doris Zjalic, Mattia Di Russo and Chiara Cadeddu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3085; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043085 - 10 Feb 2023

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 6433

Abstract

While it has been shown that climate change anxiety (emotional distress response to climate change) can enhance pro-environmental behaviours (PEBs) in some subjects, in others it can induce eco-paralysis, thus leading individuals to avoid any form of engagement in actions against climate change. This study aims to clarify which factors influence the relationship between climate change anxiety and the disposition to PEBs, focusing on the role of self-efficacy as a mediating factor. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 394 healthy subjects living in Italy who completed the Pro-Environmental Behaviours Scale (PEBS), the General Self-Efficacy scale (GSE), and the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS). As a result, the mediation model showed a positive direct effect of the cognitive impairment subscale of CCAS on PEBS and an indirect negative effect of the cognitive impairment subscale of CCAS on PEBS mediated by GSE. These findings show that climate change anxiety has simultaneously two different effects on individuals: it directly encourages PEBs, and indirectly may have detrimental effects on PEBs such as eco-paralysis. Consequently, therapeutic approaches to treat climate change anxiety should not be aimed at rationalising irrational thoughts but rather at helping patients develop coping strategies such as PEBs which, in turn, foster self-efficacy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

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13 pages, 380 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change Related Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms Perceived by Medical Students

by Lukas Schwaab, Nadja Gebhardt, Hans-Christoph Friederich and Christoph Nikendei

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(15), 9142; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19159142 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4330

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. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

12 pages, 1255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Climate Change, Drought and Rural Suicide in New South Wales, Australia: Future Impact Scenario Projections to 2099

by Ivan C. Hanigan and Timothy B. Chaston

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7855; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137855 - 27 Jun 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4094

Abstract

Mental health problems are associated with droughts, and suicide is one of the most tragic outcomes. We estimated the numbers of suicides attributable to drought under possible climate change scenarios for the future years until 2099, based on the historical baseline period 1970–2007. Drought and rural suicide data from the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) were analyzed for the baseline data period. Three global climate models and two representative concentration pathways were used to assess the range of potential future outcomes. Drought-related suicides increased among rural men aged 10–29 and 30–49 yrs in all modelled climate change scenarios. Rural males aged over 50 yrs and young rural females (10–29) showed no increased suicide risk, whereas decreased suicide rates were predicted for rural women of 30–49 and 50-plus years of age, suggesting resilience (according to the baseline historical relationship in those population sub-groups). No association between suicide and drought was identified in urban populations in the baseline data. Australian droughts are expected to increase in duration and intensity as climate change progresses. Hence, estimates of impacts, such as increased rural suicide rates, can inform mitigation and adaptation strategies that will help prepare communities for the effects of climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

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Review

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17 pages, 767 KiB

Open AccessReview

Homesickness at Home: A Scoping Review of Solastalgia Experiences in Australia

by Matilde Breth-Petersen, Jasper Garay, Kaiwarr Clancy, Michelle Dickson and Candace Angelo

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032541 - 31 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3464

Abstract

Solastalgia is a term used to describe the pain and distress experienced by those witnessing their home environments destroyed or changed in unwelcome ways. Solastalgia is expected to become more prominent as climate change worsens and transforms landscapes. This scoping review examines and maps the existing literature on solastalgia in Australia, particularly focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experiences. Four focus questions guided the review to explore how solastalgia is conceptualized, highlight risk and protective factors, and identify strategies for addressing solastalgia. Eighteen papers met the criteria for inclusion. Overall, our results show a minimal evidence base on solastalgia in Australia with an even greater gap in exploring solastalgia from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives. A strong connection to home environments was suggested as both a risk and protective factor for experiencing solastalgia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are considered at risk due to intimate connections to home environments, and since the invasion, have experienced mental distress resulting from significant, damaging changes to landscapes and home environments. We recommend further exploration of lived experiences of solastalgia across a greater diversity of Australian contexts, particularly amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including a focus on practical implications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

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Other

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5 pages, 285 KiB

Open AccessOpinion

Three Reasons Why Expecting ‘Recovery’ in the Context of the Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change Is Problematic

by Jo Longman, Rebecca Patrick, Sarah Bernays and Fiona Charlson

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(10), 5882; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20105882 - 19 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1605

Abstract

Global warming is bringing with it continued long-term changes in the climate system. Extreme weather-related events, which are already becoming a daily reality around the world, are predicted to be more intense and frequent in the future. The widespread occurrence of these events and climate change more broadly are being experienced collectively and at scale and do not affect populations evenly. These climate changes have profound impacts on mental health and wellbeing. Existing reactive responses include frequent implied and direct references to the concept of ‘recovery’. This is problematic in three ways: it conceives of extreme weather events as single, one-off occurrences; implies their unexpected nature; and contains an integral assumption of an end point where individuals/communities are ‘recovered’. Models of mental health and wellbeing support (including funding) need to change, shifting away from ‘recovery’ towards a focus on adaptation. We argue that this presents a more constructive approach that may be used to collectively support communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Mental Health Impacts of Climate Change)

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