3 - (SYM 97) It's Not a Lot, but It at Least Improves My Own Sense of Self-efficacy”: Perceptions of and Responses to Climate Change, Mental Health Symptoms, and Action

Research has increasingly shed light on the connections between climate change and negative mental health outcomes, ranging from trauma associated with acute weather-related disasters, to aggression and suicidal behavior associated with increases in temperature, to widespread climate anxiety associated with concern about climate change (Clayton et al., 2021). People’s understanding of climate change and their emotional responses to climate change may contribute to mental health symptoms, but also may play a key role in promoting or deterring engagement in critical action to combat climate change and to promote climate justice. The current study examines how measures of climate anxiety, hope, and perceptions of the intersection of climate justice and racial justice may be associated with symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and engagement in individual and collective action to address climate change. Cross-sectional, mixed methods data was collected from a sample of university students (n = 284, 79% cisgender female, 19% cisgender male, 2% transgender or non-binary, 66% White, 19% Asian, 12% Latinx, 9% multiracial or other race, 5% Black). Quantitative data indicated greater climate anxiety was significantly associated with higher symptoms of GAD and MDD and greater engagement in climate action (individual action, participatory collective action, and leadership collective action). Greater climate hope was significantly associated with lower MDD symptoms and more individual and participatory collective action, but not with GAD symptoms or leadership collective action. Greater perception of the intersection between climate and racial justice was significantly associated with more individual climate action, but not with GAD or MDD symptoms or collective action. Qualitative data suggested many young people who were most engaged in climate action held deep anxiety about the future, with some specifically expressing concern about the disproportionate impact of climate change on communities of color and low-income communities. Many held little hope that their actions would actually make a difference, but remained committed to doing what they could, and some described how participating in action contributed to their sense of efficacy, even in the context of powerful systemic forces. Finally, other participants described inaction and a sense of helplessness. Discussion will focus on implications for research and practice in both clinical and community settings.