The relationship of climate change awareness and psychopathology in persons with pre-existing mental health diagnoses.

Introduction: Persons with pre-existing mental health diagnoses are known to be more vulnerable to the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events and rising temperatures. However, it remains unclear if this holds true for adverse effects of climate change awareness, too.

Methods:  = 89 patients of a psychosomatic outpatient clinic were assessed with well-established mental health questionnaires (PHQ-9 for depressive, GAD-7 for anxious, and PTSS-10 for post-traumatic symptoms) in their original form and in a modified version (PHQ-9-C, GAD-7-C, PTSS-10-C) specifically asking for patients' symptom load regarding climate change awareness, and instruments evaluating personality factors (OPD-SF, SOC, RQ).

Climate Change Related Depression, Anxiety and Stress Symptoms Perceived by Medical Students.

Climate change has drastic consequences on human physical and mental health. However, research on the psychological effects of climate change awareness is still inconclusive. To examine the mental burden posed by climate change awareness and potential resilience factors, = 203 medical students were surveyed about their awareness of the implications of climate change.