Psychological and Functional Impacts of Climate Change Exposure on Adolescents: A Systemic Review
Abstract
Abstract Background: Climate change is an escalating global threat with significant implications for adolescent mental health. Both direct exposure to climate-related disasters and indirect exposure through awareness of environmental degradation may contribute to psychological distress. Adolescents represent a particularly vulnerable population due to ongoing emotional, cognitive, and social development. This systematic review examined the psychological manifestations and functional impacts of climate change exposure among adolescents and explored factors that may moderate these outcomes.
Methods:: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies published between January 2000 and April 2026. Eligible studies included adolescents aged 10–19 years exposed to direct climate-related hazards or indirect climate-change awareness. Primary outcomes included anxiety, depression, climate anxiety, post-traumatic stress symptoms, suicidality, sleep disturbances, school functioning, and coping mechanisms. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, CASP checklist, and Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, as appropriate.
Results:: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria from 59 identified records. Evidence consistently demonstrated associations between climate-related experiences and adverse psychological outcomes, including anxiety, depressive symptoms, hopelessness, post-traumatic…
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