ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eco-anxiety is increasingly recognized as a shared experience by many people internationally, encompassing fear of environmental catastrophe and anxiety about ecological crises. Despite its importance in the context of the changing climate, measures for this construct are still being developed in languages other than English. METHODS: To contribute to global eco-anxiety research, we translated the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) into Spanish, creating the HEAS-SP. We validated this measure in samples from both Argentina (n = 990) and Spain (n = 548), performing measurement invariance and confirmatory factor analyses. Internal consistency of the scale and score stability over time were investigated through reliability analyses. Differences in eco-anxiety across sociodemographic variables were explored through Student's t-tests and Pearson's r tests. RESULTS: The four-factor model of the HEAS-SP comprising affective and behavioural symptoms, rumination, and anxiety about personal impact demonstrated excellent model fit. We found good internal consistency for each subscale, and established measurement invariance between Spanish and Argentine samples, as well as across genders and participants' age. Spanish participants reported higher scores on the affective symptoms and personal impact anxiety factors compared to the Argentinian sample. Also, men reported lower levels than women on the subscales of affective symptoms, rumination, and personal impact anxiety. It was found that the relationship between both age and personal impact anxiety and age and affective symptoms varies significantly depending on the gender of the individuals. Younger participants tended to report higher scores on most dimensions of eco-anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings enhance the global initiative to investigate, explore and therefore comprehend eco-anxiety by introducing the first valid and reliable Spanish-language version of this psychometric instrument for its use within Spanish and Argentinian populations. This study augments the body of evidence supporting the robust psychometric properties of the HEAS, as demonstrated in prior validations for Australian, Turkish, Portuguese, German, French, and Italian populations.
Subject(s)
Anxiety , Psychometrics , Humans , Argentina , Male , Female , Spain , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Anxiety/diagnosis , Middle Aged , Psychometrics/instrumentation , Reproducibility of Results , Young Adult , Adolescent , Aged , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales/standards , Mental Health , TranslatingABSTRACT
Resumen (analítico) El cambio climático y el aumento de las olas de calor tienen un impacto negativo en el bienestar subjetivo de niños y jóvenes. Este estudio examinó la experiencia de bienestar en jóvenes chilenos frente a las olas de calor. Utilizando entrevistas y grupos focales, se seleccionaron diez participantes con diferentes trayectorias educativas y niveles de contacto con la naturaleza. Los resultados mostraron que predominaban percepciones negativas del clima y emociones displacenteras como preocupación y desmotivación. Sin embargo, se encontró que aquellos con mayor contacto con la naturaleza experimentaban un mayor bienestar subjetivo. Se concluye que las olas de calor asociadas al cambio climático afectan negativamente la salud mental, pero también se destaca el papel que desempeñan los jóvenes en las acciones de mitigación y adaptación ante el cambio climático.
Abstract (analytical) Climate change and the increasing occurrence of heatwaves have a negative impact on the subjective well-being of children and young people. This study examined the well-being of young Chileans during heatwaves. Using interviews and focus groups, ten participants with a range of educational backgrounds and different levels of contact with nature were selected. The results showed that negative perceptions of the climate and unpleasant emotions such as worry and feeling demotivated were prevalent among young people during heatwaves. However, it was identified that young people who have increased contact with nature experienced higher subjective well-being during these climate conditions. The authors conclude that heatwaves associated with climate change negatively affect young people's mental health. However, the role that young people play in climate mitigation and adaptation actions was also emphasized by participants in the study.
Resumo (analítico) A mudança climática e o aumento das ondas de calor têm um impacto negativo no bem-estar subjetivo de crianças e jovens. Este estudo examinou a experiência de bem-estar de jovens chilenos diante das ondas de calor. Utilizando entrevistas e grupos focais, foram selecionados dez participantes com diferentes trajetórias educacionais e níveis de contato com a natureza. Os resultados mostraram que predominavam percepções negativas do clima e emoções desagradáveis como preocupação e desmotivação. No entanto, descobriu-se que aqueles com maior contato com a natureza experimentavam um maior bem-estar subjetivo. Conclui-se que as ondas de calor associadas à mudança climática afetam negativamente a saúde mental, mas também destaca-se o papel desempenhado pelos jovens nas ações de mitigação e adaptação às mudanças climáticas.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The impact of climate change on mental health is well established, but few studies have examined the perspectives of young people, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this qualitative study, we explored how Brazilian children and adolescents experience climate change. This approach can help inform environmental education, communication, and self-care strategies for this age group. METHODS: We conducted focus groups with 50 children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years in three locations in Brazil. We analyzed the data using an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. RESULTS: We identified three profiles of involvement with climate change: unaware, disengaged, and engaged. Profiles were largely related to different socioeconomic contexts. We analyzed each profile across the dimensions of space, time, emotions, and actions. Adults were portrayed by participants as stubborn deniers, as neutral influences, or as role models of knowledge and engagement. Due to their age and developmental level, young children had distinctive perceptions of climate change. CONCLUSION: Spatial and temporal perceptions of climate change are a key element for experiencing and engaging with environmental concerns and vary according to age and socioeconomic differences. Effective communication to foster climate action at individual and collective levels requires narratives that reach different ages. Replication of these findings in other LMICs is warranted.
Subject(s)
Anxiety Disorders , Mental Health , Adult , Child , Humans , Adolescent , Child, Preschool , Qualitative Research , Educational Status , AnxietyABSTRACT
Objectives: The impact of climate change on mental health is well established, but few studies have examined the perspectives of young people, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this qualitative study, we explored how Brazilian children and adolescents experience climate change. This approach can help inform environmental education, communication, and self-care strategies for this age group. Methods: We conducted focus groups with 50 children and adolescents aged 5 to 18 years in three locations in Brazil. We analyzed the data using an interpretative phenomenological analysis framework. Results: We identified three profiles of involvement with climate change: unaware, disengaged, and engaged. Profiles were largely related to different socioeconomic contexts. We analyzed each profile across the dimensions of space, time, emotions, and actions. Adults were portrayed by participants as stubborn deniers, as neutral influences, or as role models of knowledge and engagement. Due to their age and developmental level, young children had distinctive perceptions of climate change. Conclusion: Spatial and temporal perceptions of climate change are a key element for experiencing and engaging with environmental concerns and vary according to age and socioeconomic differences. Effective communication to foster climate action at individual and collective levels requires narratives that reach different ages. Replication of these findings in other LMICs is warranted.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCCIÓN: El cambio climático (CC) representa uno de los mayores problemas para la sociedad actual, cuyas consecuencias nocivas para la salud mental requieren del impulso de propuestas para un desarrollo sostenible. OBJETIVO: Explorar el estado del arte concerniente a las consecuencias del CC sobre la salud y salud mental, específicamente: a) describir los efectos nocivos del CC sobre la salud mental b) describir propuestas de instituciones dirigidas a su mitigación, c) identificar nuevos conceptos acuñados para describir el impacto del CC en la salud mental, d) describir el abordaje desde la psicología de las respuestas psicológicas frente al CC. METODOLOGÍA: Revisión literaria exploratoria, no sistemática. RESULTADOS: Se encontraron nuevos conceptos, tales como eco-ansiedad, acuñados para identificar la interrelación entre CC y salud mental. Se hallaron diversos aportes desde la psicología para comprender y mejorar las respuestas psicológicas frente al CC AU
INTRODUCTION: Climate change (CC) represents one of the major problems for today's society, whose harmful consequences for mental health require the development of proposals for sustainable development. OBJECTIVE: to explore the state of the art concerningthe consequences of CC on mental health specifically: a) to describe the harmful effects of CC on mental health, b) to describe proposals of institutions aimed at its mitigation, c) to identify new concepts coined to describe the impact of CC on mental health, d) to describe the approach from psychology of psychological responses to CC. METHODOLOGY: Exploratory, non-systematic literature review. RESULTS: New concepts were found, such as eco-anxiety, coined to identify the interrelation between CC and mental health. Several contributions from psychology to understand and improve psychological responses to CC were identified AU