PSYCHOLOGICAL RESPONSES TO CLIMATE CHANGE: A META-ANALYSIS.

Abstract

The anthropogenic activities responsible for climate change in Africa may not be the same with Europe and America, but the impacts of climate change on vulnerable people are nonetheless similar across the globe in literature. However, it is only the harm to our physical health caused by climate crisis that is well reported, while the psychological outcome of the crises is often overlooked or totally ignored. This article examined the effect of climate change on psychological wellbeing of vulnerable population. The study conducted a systematic search of Psych INFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed from January 1990 to January 2024.  In all, a total of 115 studies with a total of 3560 participants met the criteria for inclusion. A significant meta-analytic effect size indicated that climate change is significantly related with psychological distress, and manifested in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, substance use, and behavioral disturbances. Further, the findings from the study showed that different vulnerable population groups were affected by climate change which includes young adults, pregnant women, indigent people, and persons with disabilities and those with preexisting or chronic medical conditions. Recommendations for action by relevant authorities as well as stakeholders were made.   Keywords: Distress, health, psychological wellbeing, climate change