New HEAL study examines the impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions

• Post by: Olivia Teresa Caruso
• 11:00AM Dec 07, 2021
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A team of researchers led by Gina Martin with Kristen Reilly, Haley Everitt, and Jason Gilliland recently published a study entitled: “The impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions – a scoping review”.

The aim of this scoping review was to identify and describe the existing literature and highlight priorities for future research. Three specific objectives guided the review: (1) to identify and provide an overview of research regarding the impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions; (2) to summarize and clarify the terminology related to climate change awareness and children’s mental well-being and negative emotions; and (3) to make recommendations for areas of future research.

Thirty-three articles were included in a narrative synthesis. Many articles were reviews or editorials/commentaries. Of the empirical research, most were from high-income countries, including Europe, North America, and Australia. The articles emphasized a large range of negative emotions that children felt about climate change. Anxiety and worry related to climate change awareness were prevalent in many child populations, although there was heterogeneity in how anxiety and worry were measured. Overall, there is an indication that an overarching awareness of the imminent threats to the planet due to climate change impacts children’s mental well-being and emotions. 

The research on the impact of awareness of climate change on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions is in its early phases. Efforts are needed to advance conceptual clarity and operationalize concepts. Additionally, there is a need for research into the impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions among a greater diversity of people and places. Existing studies provide an encouraging basis from which to develop future research.

Citation: Martin, G., Reilly, K., Everitt, H., & Gilliland, J.A. (2021). The impact of climate change awareness on children’s mental well-being and negative emotions – a scoping review. Children and Adolescent Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12525