Loneliness, Social Isolation, and Chronic Disease Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review.

An increasing number of studies have examined the effects of climate change on mental health (e.g., Refs. and ). Specifically, recent research has shown the negative impact of climate change anxiety on well-being (e.g., Refs. and ). This is particularly relevant because climate anxiety may involve both cognitive-emotional and functional impairment, making it important to clarify how it relates to broader mental health constructs and to different dimensions of well-being. The increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related events, such as wildfires, floods, and heatwaves, have posed physical threats and precipitated psychological distress among affected populations. Importantly, climate anxiety may also arise from indirect exposure and awareness of climate change, even among individuals who have not personally experienced climate-related disasters, suggesting that its psychological impact extends beyond direct trauma exposure. Climate change anxiety refers to the chronic fear of environmental doom resulting from the awareness of climate change and its potential impacts. This phenomenon has garnered attention due to its implications for mental health, particularly among younger individuals and communities directly impacted by climate events. Recent studies have established a positive correlation between climate change anxiety and various mental health issues and psychological distress (e.g., depression, anxiety disorders, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder). Moreover, vulnerable groups have shown increased prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide plans following severe climate events. Despite the increasing focus on climate anxiety (e.g. Refs. and ), research has shown mixed results , with studies linking it to both negative and positive emotions. This suggests that climate anxiety should not be understood only as a marker of psychopathology, but also as a complex emotional response that may coexist with concern, engagement, or other affective reactions to climate change. Therefore, there is still limited understanding of its effects on mental health, as previous studies have mainly examined how alterations in the physical environment impact individuals’ emotional experiences (e.g., Ref. ). The current research aims to enhance our understanding of the relationship between climate change anxiety and mental health outcomes, using a large nationally representative sample and highlighting the psychological distress associated with climate change.