Climate Change Stress Among Adolescents In California: Associations With Psychological Distress, Suicide Ideation, and Social and Demographic Factors.

Abstract

Purpose: Extreme weather events related to climate change have negative impacts on mental health. Less is known about how the awareness of climate change, known as climate change stress, impacts adolescent mental health. This study explores the association between climate change stress and psychological distress and suicide ideation among adolescents in California and factors associated with climate change stress.

Methods: This study uses cross-sectional data from the 2021 and 2022 California Health Interview Survey adolescent data set. All analyses used California Health Interview Survey weights to be representative of the statewide population. Pearson's Chi-squared tests and 2-sample t-tests were used to explore differences between adolescents reporting climate change stress or not. Binary logistic regressions were used to explore the association between climate stress and psychological distress and suicide ideation.

Results: 38.1 percent of California's adolescents report climate change stress. Adolescents who report this stress are more likely to be female, gender nonconforming, White, from higher-income families, have adverse childhood experiences, frequently use social media, be involved in their community, and feel civic efficacy. Climate change stress is associated with 2.395 times greater odds of psychological distress in the past month and 1.853 times greater odds of suicide ideation in the past year.

Discussion: Climate change stress is common for adolescents in California and associated with psychological distress and suicide ideation. This is an emerging topic that needs more focus. Researchers, policymakers, and mental health experts can work together to address the impacts of climate change on the mental well-being of adolescents.