The Effect of Climate Change on Mental Health in Teenagers
School Name
Spring Valley High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Behavioral Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
The effect of climate change on mental health has been observable in cultures and populations deeply rooted in their environments, but is now becoming increasingly visible in the general population as well (Pikhala 2020). The effect of climate change on the mental health of teenagers has not been well observed, previous research has indicated that the media and narratives surrounding climate change can be damaging to both mental health and detrimental to environmental advocacy groups (McKinley 2008). The purpose of the study was to observe negative effects of climate change on the mental health of teenagers, and compare effects to positive climate action taken by participants. It was hypothesized that students who take positive climate action are more negatively affected by climate change, as mental health effects such as anxiety prompt evasive action (Stanley 2021). This study used a likert scale survey asking respondents to rate the degree to which they experience various negative emotions as a result of climate change and evaluate the positive climate action they take. The respondents were sorted into groups of those who believe they help the environment, and those who do not, and the effect of climate change on mental health was compared between the two groups. The 11 participants who take positive climate action (M=-0.5, SD=6.27) compared to the 20 who do not take positive climate action (M=5.636, SD,=5.278) were more negatively affected by climate change t(29)=5.6398, p=2.898.
Recommended Citation
Sen, Adeep, "The Effect of Climate Change on Mental Health in Teenagers" (2022). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 86.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2022/all/86
Location
B&E 235
Start Date
4-2-2022 9:45 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
The Effect of Climate Change on Mental Health in Teenagers
B&E 235
The effect of climate change on mental health has been observable in cultures and populations deeply rooted in their environments, but is now becoming increasingly visible in the general population as well (Pikhala 2020). The effect of climate change on the mental health of teenagers has not been well observed, previous research has indicated that the media and narratives surrounding climate change can be damaging to both mental health and detrimental to environmental advocacy groups (McKinley 2008). The purpose of the study was to observe negative effects of climate change on the mental health of teenagers, and compare effects to positive climate action taken by participants. It was hypothesized that students who take positive climate action are more negatively affected by climate change, as mental health effects such as anxiety prompt evasive action (Stanley 2021). This study used a likert scale survey asking respondents to rate the degree to which they experience various negative emotions as a result of climate change and evaluate the positive climate action they take. The respondents were sorted into groups of those who believe they help the environment, and those who do not, and the effect of climate change on mental health was compared between the two groups. The 11 participants who take positive climate action (M=-0.5, SD=6.27) compared to the 20 who do not take positive climate action (M=5.636, SD,=5.278) were more negatively affected by climate change t(29)=5.6398, p=2.898.
