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Climate Change Anxiety in Adults with Schizophrenia: a Descriptive Study
Carol Lim1,2,3, Sophie Freudenreich4,5, James McKowen4,6
1Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, 151 Merrimac St, 4th fl, Boston, MA, 02114, USA. clim@mgh.harvard.edu.
None:
Climate anxiety can motivate adaptive behaviors but can become debilitating when excessive. People with schizophrenia are particularly vulnerable to extreme climate events, yet little is known about their climate-related concerns. This study examines climate anxiety levels and perceptions of government responses in outpatients with schizophrenia to inform targeted mental health interventions. From March to July 2024, 108 adult outpatients with schizophrenia participated in semi-structured interviews using two validated surveys assessing climate-related emotions and beliefs about government responses. Many participants reported moderate climate anxiety, with some dissatisfaction regarding government actions. Severe functional impairments due to climate anxiety were uncommon. Understanding climate anxiety in people with schizophrenia, an easily overlooked vulnerable group to climate change-related morbidity and mortality, is critical to enhance preparedness and mitigate psychiatric and physical health risks.
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