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Hope, Coping and Eco-Anxiety: Young People’s Mental Health in a Climate-Impacted Australia

Author

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  • Hasini Gunasiri

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

  • Yifan Wang

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

  • Ella-Mae Watkins

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

  • Teresa Capetola

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

  • Claire Henderson-Wilson

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

  • Rebecca Patrick

    (School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia)

Abstract

(1) Background: In Australia, young people are one of the most vulnerable populations to the mental health impacts of climate change. The aim of this article was to explore mental health promotion issues related to climate change for young people in Australia. (2) Methods: An exploratory mixed-method approach, co-led by young people, was used to engage young people living in Australia aged 18–24 years in semi-structured interviews (N = 14) and an online survey (N = 46). Data were analysed thematically and with descriptive statistics. (3) Results: Findings indicated that negative impacts included worry, eco-anxiety, stress, hopelessness/powerlessness and feelings of not having a voice. Several mediating factors, in particular social media engagement, highlighted the duality of mental health impacts for young people’s mental health. Positive impacts of climate action included feeling optimistic and in control. (4) Conclusions: This exploratory study contributes to an emerging field of public health research on young people’s mental health in a climate-impacted Australia. Climate change is a significant concern for young people, and it can negatively affect their mental health. The findings can inform the design of public health interventions that raise awareness of climate change-related mental health issues among young people and promote their participation in nature-based interventions, climate action and empowering social media engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Hasini Gunasiri & Yifan Wang & Ella-Mae Watkins & Teresa Capetola & Claire Henderson-Wilson & Rebecca Patrick, 2022. "Hope, Coping and Eco-Anxiety: Young People’s Mental Health in a Climate-Impacted Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-12, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5528-:d:807489
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Warren Pearce & Sabine Niederer & Suay Melisa Özkula & Natalia Sánchez Querubín, 2019. "The social media life of climate change: Platforms, publics, and future imaginaries," Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 10(2), March.
    2. McCrory, Alanna & Best, Paul & Maddock, Alan, 2020. "The relationship between highly visual social media and young people’s mental health: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    3. Helen Berry & Kathryn Bowen & Tord Kjellstrom, 2010. "Climate change and mental health: a causal pathways framework," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 123-132, April.
    4. Fiona Charlson & Suhailah Ali & Tarik Benmarhnia & Madeleine Pearl & Alessandro Massazza & Jura Augustinavicius & James G. Scott, 2021. "Climate Change and Mental Health: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-38, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Çiçek Ediz & Derya Yanik, 2023. "The effects of climate change awareness on mental health: Comparison of climate anxiety and hopelessness levels in Turkish youth," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 69(8), pages 2157-2166, December.
    2. Zhidiankui Xu & Yu Wu & Yixi Bao & Jiawei Li & Zhengzhong Zhou, 2023. "Using Co-Design to Explore New Trends in Future Kitchen Designs: An Exploratory Workshop Study of College Students in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Teaghan L. Hogg & Samantha K. Stanley & Léan V. O’Brien, 2024. "Validation of the Hogg Climate Anxiety Scale," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 177(6), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Tanja Russell, 2024. "A ‘greenhouse affect’? Exploring young Australians’ emotional responses to climate change," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 177(5), pages 1-20, May.

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