One important but little-studied aspect of the global climate crisis is the psychological effects of climate change, especially on young people. This chapter examines how pro-environmental behavior, nature connectedness, and climate change anxiety interact to strengthen emotional resilience and lessen psychological distress, particularly PTSD, depression, and anxiety, in young people affected by and unaffected by flooding. The study, which is based on an analysis of international and Pakistani literature, emphasizes how floods brought on by climate change serve as severe psychological stressors that disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, such as young people in the Global South. The chapter employs an integrative, mixed-method approach that combines empirical research, thematic literature synthesis, and psychosocial theory to show that anxiety related to climate change is not only common in disaster-affected areas but is also becoming more common among young people who have not been directly exposed to floods. It emphasizes that, despite being upsetting, eco-anxiety can be a driving force behind environmental behavior when it is restrained by a strong sense of agency and nature connection. Young people who participate more in pro-environmental activities and have a stronger emotional connection to nature report feeling less distressed and more resilient. The chapter suggests systemic interventions based on these insights, such as incorporating mental health into climate policy, promoting community-based green engagement, integrating climate-focused emotional education in schools, and providing targeted assistance for populations at risk of flooding. Additionally, it calls for interdisciplinary research to support youth-centered, culturally grounded resilience frameworks and supports the acknowledgement of climate anxiety as a valid mental health issue. By presenting climate change anxiety as a potential catalyst for group healing, youth empowerment, and long-term change in the face of growing climate threats, rather than just as a pathology, this chapter adds to the growing conversation on climate psychology.

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Ripple Effect: The Role of Climate Change Anxiety, Nature Connectedness, and Pro-environmental Behavior in Building Climate Resilience and Mitigating Psychological Distress Among Flood-Affected and Non-affected Youth

  • Mehnaz Awan,
  • Iram Gul,
  • Sadia Aleem,
  • Mukhtar Ahmed

摘要

One important but little-studied aspect of the global climate crisis is the psychological effects of climate change, especially on young people. This chapter examines how pro-environmental behavior, nature connectedness, and climate change anxiety interact to strengthen emotional resilience and lessen psychological distress, particularly PTSD, depression, and anxiety, in young people affected by and unaffected by flooding. The study, which is based on an analysis of international and Pakistani literature, emphasizes how floods brought on by climate change serve as severe psychological stressors that disproportionately impact vulnerable groups, such as young people in the Global South. The chapter employs an integrative, mixed-method approach that combines empirical research, thematic literature synthesis, and psychosocial theory to show that anxiety related to climate change is not only common in disaster-affected areas but is also becoming more common among young people who have not been directly exposed to floods. It emphasizes that, despite being upsetting, eco-anxiety can be a driving force behind environmental behavior when it is restrained by a strong sense of agency and nature connection. Young people who participate more in pro-environmental activities and have a stronger emotional connection to nature report feeling less distressed and more resilient. The chapter suggests systemic interventions based on these insights, such as incorporating mental health into climate policy, promoting community-based green engagement, integrating climate-focused emotional education in schools, and providing targeted assistance for populations at risk of flooding. Additionally, it calls for interdisciplinary research to support youth-centered, culturally grounded resilience frameworks and supports the acknowledgement of climate anxiety as a valid mental health issue. By presenting climate change anxiety as a potential catalyst for group healing, youth empowerment, and long-term change in the face of growing climate threats, rather than just as a pathology, this chapter adds to the growing conversation on climate psychology.