Department of Psychology, University of Regina, 3737 Wascana Parkway, Regina, SK, S4S A02, Canada.
Curr Psychiatry Rep. 2024 Nov;26(11):670-677. doi: 10.1007/s11920-024-01538-9. Epub 2024 Oct 1.
Challenging cognitive, somatic, and behavioral responses to climate change are often conceptualized as climate anxiety (CA). Due to the increased recognition of the impacts of climate change on mental health, a growing body of scientific literature is developing. The purpose of this manuscript is to review the current evidence base for CA and propose future research needs for this emerging construct.
Early evidence supports underlying psychological mechanisms in the development and maintenance of CA, which are similar to other anxiety-related conditions. However, the study of CA poses unique challenges to researchers. The psychological impacts that occur in the context of climate change may be adaptive depending on the imminent threat of natural disasters, forced migration, or other climate-related challenges. Due to the potentially adaptive nature of CA and limited current evidence, a coordinated research program of climate-related distress is necessary. A review of the extant literature identified current gaps in understanding the epidemiology and individual differences that promote CA. Current evidence supports the prominent role of neuroticism, intolerance of uncertainty, and rumination. The development of evidence-based models of climate-related distress may provide a more valid and comprehensive depiction of the impacts of climate change on mental health. Transdiagnostic treatment methods are likely the most appropriate intervention for climate-related distress. As models, measures, and treatments of climate-related distress are developed, it is crucial to incorporate studies of populations most at risk for climate change-related mental health effects.
气候变化对认知、躯体和行为的挑战反应通常被概念化为气候焦虑（CA）。由于人们越来越认识到气候变化对心理健康的影响，越来越多的科学文献正在发展。本文的目的是回顾 CA 的现有证据基础，并为这一新兴结构提出未来的研究需求。
早期证据支持 CA 发展和维持的潜在心理机制，这些机制与其他焦虑相关的病症相似。然而，CA 的研究对研究人员提出了独特的挑战。在气候变化背景下发生的心理影响可能是适应性的，这取决于自然灾害、被迫迁移或其他与气候相关的挑战的迫在眉睫的威胁。由于 CA 的潜在适应性和目前有限的证据，需要制定一个与气候相关的困扰的协调研究计划。对现有文献的回顾确定了目前在理解流行病学和促进 CA 的个体差异方面的差距。现有证据支持神经质、不确定性容忍度和反刍的突出作用。气候相关困扰的循证模型的发展可能为气候变化对心理健康的影响提供更有效和全面的描述。针对气候相关困扰的共病治疗方法可能是最适合的干预措施。随着与气候相关的困扰的模型、测量和治疗方法的发展，纳入最易受气候变化相关心理健康影响的人群的研究至关重要。
