The Psychological Effects of Climate Change on Children

Burke, Susie; Sanson, Ann; Hoorn, Judith Van

doi:10.1007/s11920-018-0896-9

Cited by 216 publications

(153 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…Increasing evidence indicates that climate change may affect mental health via multiple mechanisms, both direct and indirect, leading to outcomes ranging from psychological distress, fear, anxiety, or depression, to sleep disorders, substance use, and suicide (67,70,75). In our sample the symptomatic load, both physical and psychological, related to climate and weather variations was associated with lifetime SAs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

“…Increased sensitivity to climate and weather variables, especially among fragile populations such as psychiatric patients, represents an issue to be considered in the light of the severe climatic modifications currently taking place. In fact, global climate change is now regarded as one of the biggest crisis facing humanity, and the impact of its consequences on mental health, both in adults and children, has been recognized as a major concern among mental health specialists (66)(67)(68)(69)(70)(71)(72). Accordingly, in 2017 the American Psychiatry Association (APA) released a position statement that climate change "poses a threat to public health, including mental health", with people suffering from psychiatric disorders expected to be more dramatically impacted (73).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Sensitivity to Climate and Weather Changes in Euthymic Bipolar Subjects: Association With Suicide Attempts

et al. 2020

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Background: Climate and weather are known to affect multiple areas of human life, including mental health. In bipolar disorder (BD), seasonality represents an environmental trigger for mood switches, and climatic variables may contribute to recurrences. Several studies reported seasonal and climatic-related variations in the rate of suicide attempts. Suicide risk is relevant in BD, with approximately 25% of patients attempting suicide. Therefore, this study aimed to assess sensitivity to weather and climatic variations in BD subjects and its relationship with lifetime suicide attempts. Methods: Three hundred fifty-two euthymic BD and 352 healthy control subjects, homogeneous with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, were enrolled. All participants were administered the METEO-Questionnaire (METEO-Q) to evaluate susceptibility to weather and climatic changes. We also investigated the potential relationship between sensitivity to climate and weather and lifetime suicide attempts in BD patients. Results: METEO-Q scores and the number of subjects reaching the cutoff for meteorosensitivity/meteoropathy were significantly higher in BD patients. Within the clinical group, BD subjects with lifetime suicide attempts obtained higher METEO-Q scores, with no differences between BD-I and BD-II. The number of suicide attempts directly correlated with METEO-Q scores. The presence of suicide attempts was associated with the physical and psychological symptoms related to weather variations. Discussion: Our findings support the relevance of sensitivity to weather and climate variations in a large sample of BD subjects and point out the association of this feature with lifetime suicide attempts.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sensitivity to Climate and Weather Changes in Euthymic Bipolar Subjects: Association With Suicide Attempts

et al. 2020

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“…Today’s adults may be the last generation that can ensure a livable world for future generations. How does this reality change what it means to be a responsible adult today (Burke et al, )? Professionals with expertise in child development who are committed to the well‐being of the next generation have many avenues for action to help ensure that youth inherit a livable planet.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The psychological and mental health impacts of climate events have been less well‐researched, but evidence from climate‐related disasters shows that they can be equally devastating (Burke, Sanson, & Van Hoorn, ; Clayton, Manning, Krygsman, & Speiser, ). Impacts include significant increases in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety, sleep problems, cognitive deficits, and learning problems (Garcia & Sheehan, ; Majeed & Lee, ).…”

Section: How Does Climate Change Affect Children and Youth?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Responding to the Impacts of the Climate Crisis on Children and Youth

Sanson

Hoorn²,

Burke³

2019

Child Dev Perspectives

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Climate change poses an urgent threat to future generations. Children are more susceptible to its effects than adults, with immediate and lifelong impacts on their physical and mental health. In addition to having direct experiences of climate impacts, children and youth respond psychologically in troubling ways to their awareness of the climate crisis. Children’s and youth’s needs for support vary across contexts. Climate impacts are generally greater in the developing world (despite the fact that people there are less responsible for causing the crisis), where capacity to prepare for and adapt to the effects is weaker. Hence, we need urgent action on both mitigating climate change and adapting to its impacts. In doing this work, we must acknowledge and build the agency and engagement of children and youth, which also builds resiliency and hope. Although many programs are encouraging, they fail to reach all children in need and are limited in terms of evaluation. Experts in child development can help fill these gaps. In the developed world, few studies address how to support young people in face of their feelings regarding climate change. Listening and providing opportunities for active engagement are among the ways adults can help young people cope, and build a sense of efficacy and a capacity to tackle the crisis and adapt to climate impacts. The upsurge in school strikes for climate action demonstrates young people’s deep concerns about their future and their determination to prevent a climate catastrophe. The climate change crisis raises questions about how professionals committed to the well‐being of the next generation should respond—business as usual is no longer an option, and many valuable ways exist to help ensure that children can thrive on a livable planet.

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“…Together, these direct and indirect impacts pose mental health risks for ado lescents, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, sleep disorders and even suicide. [21][22][23] Heat exposure can also increase irritability, aggression and violence, [24] a major concern given the rates of physical and sexual violence in schools in SA, both pupil-onpupil and between teacher and pupil. Extreme weather events such as storms, droughts and wildfires have been strongly linked with mental health conditions in adolescents, which commonly persist into adulthood.…”

Section: Guest Editorialmentioning

confidence: 99%