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Mitchell A, Maheen H, Bowen K. Mental health impacts from repeated climate disasters: an australian longitudinal analysis. THE LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH. WESTERN PACIFIC 2024; 47:101087. [PMID: 38831889 PMCID: PMC11145535 DOI: 10.1016/j.lanwpc.2024.101087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense under changing climatic conditions. Whilst there is substantial evidence that exposure to a single weather related disaster is detrimental for mental health, few studies have explored how exposure to multiple disasters impacts mental health. Methods We utilised 11 waves of data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, yielding a sample of 16,629 observations from 2003 individuals. Fixed effects linear regression analysis was used to estimate the impact of experiencing multiple disasters on mental health. We tested for effect modification on this association by sex, rurality, employment and presence of a long-term health condition. Findings Exposure to multiple disasters was associated with a relative decrease in MHI-5 score compared to baseline by -1.8 points (95% CI -3.4, -0.3), whereas exposure to a single disaster was not associated with a decline in mental health scores. There was evidence of effect modification by employment status. Unemployed individuals had evidence of moderate reduction in MHI-5 scores when exposed to a single disaster (-4.3, 95% CI -7.0, -1.5). Interpretation Findings suggest that repeat exposure to disasters is associated with worsening mental health outcomes. As extreme weather events increase, these findings highlight the need for greater attention on climate change action, and mental health interventions targeting impacted populations. Funding Suicide Prevention Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mitchell
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Humaira Maheen
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kathryn Bowen
- Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 207 Bouverie St, Carlton, VIC, Australia
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Stilita G, Charlson F. Keeping Sane in a Changing Climate: Assessing Psychologists' Preparedness, Exposure to Climate-Health Impacts, Willingness to Act on Climate Change, and Barriers to Effective Action. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:218. [PMID: 38397707 PMCID: PMC10888424 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Evidence of the impact of climate change on mental health is growing rapidly, and healthcare professionals are being called to be active participants in protecting the population's health. Yet, little is known about psychologists' understanding of climate-health impacts and their role in mitigation actions. We surveyed Australian psychologists (N = 59) to examine preparedness in identifying and managing the impact of climate change on mental health, exposure to climate-health impacts, willingness to act, and barriers to acting on climate change. Data was analysed through descriptive and associative methods. We found that participants are not prepared to identify and manage mental health presentations related to climate change, and they are not engaged in climate change mitigation. We identified that a lack of knowledge of climate-health impacts and tackling and mitigation strategies, in addition to ethical concerns, were the main barriers to engagement with communication and advocacy. With the impacts of climate change on mental health expected to soar, there is a clear and urgent need to prepare the psychological workforce to address this public health issue by establishing professional education programs and reframing climate change as a health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Stilita
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Queensland Health, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
- Psychology Department, The Prince Charles Hospital–Queensland Health, Chermside, QLD 4032, Australia
| | - Fiona Charlson
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, Herston, QLD 4006, Australia;
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, Queensland Health, Wacol, QLD 4076, Australia
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Bolte G, Dandolo L, Gepp S, Hornberg C, Lumbi SL. Climate change and health equity: A public health perspective on climate justice. JOURNAL OF HEALTH MONITORING 2023; 8:3-35. [PMID: 38105794 PMCID: PMC10722520 DOI: 10.25646/11772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Background The discourse on climate justice has developed from the theoretical approaches and discussions on environmental justice. A central tenet of the concept of environmental and climate justice is that environmental and climate issues cannot be seen in isolation from issues of social justice. Methods A conceptual model was developed on the relationship between climate change impacts, social dimensions, adaptive capacities, biological sensitivity, and health equity in order to systematically analyse climate justice. Based on an exploratory literature review and the evaluation of the individual contributions of the status report on climate change and health, the evidence in Germany on social inequalities in exposure to climate change impacts and vulnerability to their direct and indirect health effects was summarised. Results This paper provides an overview of the international debate and examples of evidence on climate justice in Germany. Climate justice in the sense of avoidable, unjust social inequalities in exposure, vulnerability, and the effects of climate mitigation and adaptation measures on health inequalities is still insufficiently addressed in Germany. Conclusions A consistent integration of equity issues into climate policy is necessary. With reference to the international literature, options for action and research needs are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Bolte
- University of Bremen, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Department of Social Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Lisa Dandolo
- University of Bremen, Institute of Public Health and Nursing Research, Department of Social Epidemiology, Bremen, Germany
| | - Sophie Gepp
- Centre for Planetary Health Policy, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claudia Hornberg
- Bielefeld University, Medical School OWL, Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Susanne Lopez Lumbi
- Bielefeld University, Medical School OWL, Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld, Germany
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Heinzel S, Tschorn M, Schulte-Hutner M, Schäfer F, Reese G, Pohle C, Peter F, Neuber M, Liu S, Keller J, Eichinger M, Bechtoldt M. Anxiety in response to the climate and environmental crises: validation of the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale in Germany. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1239425. [PMID: 37809319 PMCID: PMC10552256 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1239425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As the climate and environmental crises unfold, eco-anxiety, defined as anxiety about the crises' devastating consequences for life on earth, affects mental health worldwide. Despite its importance, research on eco-anxiety is currently limited by a lack of validated assessment instruments available in different languages. Recently, Hogg and colleagues proposed a multidimensional approach to assess eco-anxiety. Here, we aim to translate the original English Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) into German and to assess its reliability and validity in a German sample. Methods Following the TRAPD (translation, review, adjudication, pre-test, documentation) approach, we translated the original English scale into German. In total, 486 participants completed the German HEAS. We used Bayesian confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess whether the four-factorial model of the original English version could be replicated in the German sample. Furthermore, associations with a variety of emotional reactions towards the climate crisis, general depression, anxiety, and stress were investigated. Results The German HEAS was internally consistent (Cronbach's alphas 0.71-0.86) and the Bayesian CFA showed that model fit was best for the four-factorial model, comparable to the factorial structure of the original English scale (affective symptoms, rumination, behavioral symptoms, anxiety about personal impact). Weak to moderate associations were found with negative emotional reactions towards the climate crisis and with general depression, anxiety, and stress. Discussion Our results support the original four-factorial model of the scale and indicate that the German HEAS is a reliable and valid scale to assess eco-anxiety in German speaking populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephan Heinzel
- Institute of Psychology, Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology, TU Dortmund University, Dortmund, Germany
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mira Tschorn
- Social and Preventive Medicine, Department of Sports and Health Sciences, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | | | - Fabian Schäfer
- Sustainable Development, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Darmstadt, Germany
- Klimabildung e.V., Bochum, Germany
| | - Gerhard Reese
- Department of Psychology, RPTU Kaiserslautern Landau, Campus Landau, Landau, Germany
| | | | - Felix Peter
- Department of School Psychology, State School Administration of Saxony-Anhalt, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Neuber
- Center for Technology and Society, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jan Keller
- Department of Education and Psychology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Michael Eichinger
- Center for Preventive Medicine and Digital Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
- Institute of Medical Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Myriam Bechtoldt
- Department of Management, EBS Universität für Wirtschaft und Recht, Oestrich-Winkel, Germany
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Plesa P, Petranker R. Psychedelics and neonihilism: connectedness in a meaningless world. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1125780. [PMID: 37621941 PMCID: PMC10445489 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1125780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The resurgence of psychedelic research explicitly targets treating mental health conditions largely through psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy. Current theories about mechanisms of change in psychedelics-assisted psychotherapy focus on mystical experiences as the main driver of symptom improvement. During these mystical experiences, participants report an enhanced sense of salience, connectedness, and meaning. Simultaneously, a growing psychedelic culture is also cultivating the use of psychedelics as medicine for relieving symptoms of anxiety and depression and promoting cognitive functions. We argue that an integral part of the excitement around the resurgence in psychedelics is in response to a meaning and alienation crisis that correlates with rising rates of anxiety and depression. Framing the absence of meaning as neonihilism, a contemporary correlate to the 19th-century phenomenon with unique features present in a neoliberal cultural context, we explore whether psychedelics combined with group therapy can provide answers to modern experiences of meaninglessness. Based on this exploration, we suggest concrete next steps both in the theory and practice of psychedelic psychotherapy toward what we are calling neonihilistic psychedelic group psychotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patric Plesa
- Department of Psychology, Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, Slippery Rock, PA, United States
| | - Rotem Petranker
- Department of Psychology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
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Campbell-Lendrum D, Neville T, Schweizer C, Neira M. Climate change and health: three grand challenges. Nat Med 2023; 29:1631-1638. [PMID: 37464036 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02438-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
Climate change may be the greatest health threat of the twenty-first century, impacting lives both directly and indirectly, through undermining the environmental and social determinants of health. Rapid action to decarbonize economies and build resilience is justified on health, human rights, environmental and economic grounds. While the necessary health response is wide ranging, it can largely be encapsulated within three grand challenges: (i) promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health; (ii) build better, more climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems; and (iii) implement public health measures to protect from the range of climate risks to health. The health community can make a unique and powerful contribution, applying its trusted voice to climate leadership and advocacy, providing evidence for action, taking responsibility for climate resilience and decarbonization of healthcare systems, and guiding other sectors whose actions impact substantially on health, carbon emissions and climate resilience.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
| | - Tara Neville
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian Schweizer
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Maria Neira
- Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Koenig J. Another day to die: stories from the silent pandemic. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2023; 32:733-734. [PMID: 36988719 PMCID: PMC10052278 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-023-02200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julian Koenig
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
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