Grant: Project Grant

Climate change is intensifying, with more frequent extreme weather events serving as a stark reminder of its harmful effects. In Alberta, unprecedented floods and wildfires have caused significant distress to communities both near and far. Adolescents growing up in this uncertain world are confronted with direct and indirect threats to their physical and psychological health. "Climate-related distress" is an emerging term referring to the emotional responses related to climate change and its impacts, such as worry, anxiety, fear, and grief. To date, research on climate-related distress has mostly focused on university students and older adults, who have their own unique set of life experiences and vulnerabilities. Youth, on the other hand, are more acutely aware of, and exposed to, climate change than any previous generation. They view climate change as a major threat to their mental health and well-being. A recent study shows that 78% of youth feel that climate change has impacted their mental health. Given the unique characteristics of today's youth, it is important to understand how and when climate-related distress, as well as green identity (i.e., environmental values and practices), develop and under what circumstances they serve as risks factors for or protective factors against, mental health problems. Our project aims to leverage a well-established prospective cohort to deepen understanding of this issue in adolescents at ages 12, 15, 17, and 19, capturing different stages of their development. In doing so, we can address a critically relevant concern for today's adolescents, while also providing impactful and time-sensitive research that can help drive policy changes, as well as the development of educational resources and tailored interventions.