Integrating End-User Needs and Perspectives in the Measurement of Young Adult Climate Change Distress

<h3>Project Overview</h3>
<p>Over 60 percent of youth worldwide experience climate distress—negative emotions related to climate change—and an estimated 5–27 percent of those affected report adverse psychiatric symptoms such as impaired sleep or intrusive thoughts. Despite this prevalence, relatively little research addresses distress related to the chronic effects of climate change and climate change awareness. Much of the existing biomedical and public health literature focuses on measuring mental health impacts, with less attention to actionable strategies for climate and health adaptation. </p>
<p>This current deposit is part of a larger mixed-method project study on young adult climate change distress, which involved five focus groups of professionals who regularly work with youth and adolescents, separate focus groups with 21 young adults, as well as a follow-up survey with 190 young adults. The goals for the broader study were to distinguish young adult climate distress from other forms of psychological distress, to improve data and resources on climate distress and to identify action priorities in this domain.</p>