Runkle Jennifer D, Herbst Kelsey, Ryan Sophie, Sewell Kelly, Mallare Ashley, Berry Ian, Getz Emma, McKee Arden, Thompson Martie P, Sugg Margaret M
NC Institute for Climate Studies, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Department of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
J Clim Chang Health. 2025 Mar-Apr;22. doi: 10.1016/j.joclim.2025.100419. Epub 2025 Mar 19.
Ecologic anxiety and climate distress describe psychological and emotional responses to the uncertain future of our planet amid climate change. Crisis hotlines and text-based counseling services may address mental health concerns linked to climate anxiety, yet limited research explores these responses through digital crisis text lines. This study presents results from a qualitative thematic analysis of U.S. crisis text conversations mentioning climate change by exploring emotional responses and coping resources commonly discussed.
We analyzed anonymized text data from Crisis Text Line (CTL), a free, U.S.-based digital crisis platform with over nine million conversations since 2017, focusing on a sample of texts mentioning "climate change." A comprehensive codebook was developed, incorporating predetermined and emergent codes for climate change exposures, crisis flags, emotional responses, and special topics. Using a structured, iterative thematic analysis approach that combined deductive and inductive methods, the study identified and categorized emerging themes.
A total of 337 text transcripts were analyzed. Texters displayed significant emotional responses to climate change, grouped into three categories: Eco-anxious, General Climate Concern, and Fatalistic Future Outlook. Findings reveal the tangible impacts of extreme weather, the exacerbating role of media coverage, and the interaction between climate change and other life stressors. Texters used various coping strategies for climate-related distress, including social support, creative and nature-based activities, positive information, and professional resources like CTL. Counselor-recommended techniques, such as grounding exercises and journaling, also helped manage emotional well-being.
Themes underscore the complex nature of texters' emotional and psychological responses, varied coping mechanisms, and how climate concerns can inspire proactive environmental actions. The analysis highlights the urgent need for targeted support interventions, particularly for those with a fatalistic outlook, to address mental health challenges related intensifying climate events.
生态焦虑和气候困扰描述了人们在气候变化背景下，对地球不确定未来所产生的心理和情绪反应。危机热线和基于文本的咨询服务或许能解决与气候焦虑相关的心理健康问题，但仅有有限的研究通过数字危机短信热线来探究这些反应。本研究通过探索常见讨论的情绪反应和应对资源，呈现了对提及气候变化的美国危机短信对话进行定性主题分析的结果。
我们分析了危机短信热线（CTL）的匿名文本数据，这是一个位于美国的免费数字危机平台，自2017年以来已有超过九百万次对话，重点关注提及“气候变化”的文本样本。我们制定了一个综合编码手册，纳入了针对气候变化暴露、危机标志、情绪反应和特殊主题的预定和新出现的代码。该研究采用结构化、迭代的主题分析方法，将演绎法和归纳法相结合，识别并分类新出现的主题。
共分析了337条文本记录。短信发送者对气候变化表现出显著的情绪反应，分为三类：生态焦虑、一般气候担忧和宿命论的未来展望。研究结果揭示了极端天气的切实影响、媒体报道的加剧作用，以及气候变化与其他生活压力源之间的相互作用。短信发送者针对与气候相关的困扰采用了各种应对策略，包括社会支持、创造性和基于自然的活动、积极信息，以及像危机短信热线这样的专业资源。咨询师推荐的技巧，如接地练习和写日记，也有助于管理情绪健康。
这些主题强调了短信发送者情绪和心理反应的复杂性、多样的应对机制，以及气候担忧如何能激发积极的环保行动。该分析突出了针对性支持干预措施的迫切需求，特别是针对那些持宿命论观点的人，以应对与日益加剧的气候事件相关的心理健康挑战。
