RESEARCH

The Relationship Between Climate Change and Mental Health: A Systematic Review of the Association Between Eco-Anxiety, Psychological Distress, and Symptoms of Major Affective Disorders

This study found a consistent positive association between eco-anxiety and various indicators of poor mental health, suggesting that awareness of climate change can contribute to psychological distress. The results underscore the importance of recognizing and addressing eco-anxiety in mental health care and policy.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, General Population

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Improved Stress Management

Allied Profession Intersections: Climate Psychology/Psychotherapy

Type of Activity: Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This research paper investigates the relationship between eco-anxiety (fear, worry, or anxiety about climate change) and mental health outcomes such as psychological distress and symptoms of major affective disorders. The authors conducted a systematic review of studies that quantified eco-anxiety and used validated measures to assess mental health in adult samples. They searched databases up to February 2024 and included 35 relevant studies with a total of 45,667 participants. The review aimed to synthesize the evidence on how being aware of environmental decline impacts clinically relevant distress.

The findings of this review consistently showed that eco-anxiety has small to large positive correlations with mental health outcomes including psychological distress, depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress symptoms. However, the relationships with post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and pathological worry were mixed. Notably, stronger associations were observed when eco-anxiety was measured as ‘anxiety’ rather than ‘worry’. The researchers concluded that eco-anxiety is related to psychological burden and emphasized the need for greater consideration of eco-anxiety in clinical assessment and treatment, as well as in policy development to address the mental health challenges posed by climate change.

Link

Cosh, S. M., Ryan, R., Fallander, K., Robinson, K., Tognela, J., Tully, P. J., & Lykins, A. D. (2024). The relationship between climate change and mental health: a systematic review of the association between eco-anxiety, psychological distress, and symptoms of major affective disorders. BMC Psychiatry, 24(1).

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