Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40452860›Full record

ArticleThe journal of climate change and health

Eco-anxiety, climate concern, and fatalistic outlooks: Insights from U.S. crisis text conversations on climate distress.

Jennifer D Runkle, Kelsey Herbst, Sophie Ryan, Kelly Sewell, Ashley Mallare, Ian Berry, Emma Getz, Arden McKee, Martie P Thompson, Margaret M Sugg

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in The journal of climate change and health. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jennifer D RunkleNC Institute for Climate Studies, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Kelsey HerbstNC Institute for Climate Studies, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Sophie RyanDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Kelly SewellNC Institute for Climate Studies, NC State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
Ashley MallareDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Ian BerryDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Emma GetzDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Arden McKeeDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Martie P ThompsonDept of Public Health & Exercise Sciences, College of Health Science, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.
Margaret M SuggDepartment of Geography and Planning, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC, USA.

Funding

A Causal Analysis of the Complex Mental Health Impacts of the Climate Crisis in Young PeopleR15ES033817 · NIEHS · APPALACHIAN STATE UNIVERSITY · PI RUNKLE, JENNIFER D., SUGG, MARGARET MAE · 2022 to 2022
$414k
NIEHS NIH HHS R15 ES033817
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Ecologic anxiety and climate distress describe psychological and emotional responses to the uncertain future of our planet amid climate change. Crisis hotlines and text-based counseling services may address mental health concerns linked to climate anxiety, yet limited research explores these responses through digital crisis text lines. This study presents results from a qualitative thematic analysis of U.S. crisis text conversations mentioning climate change by exploring emotional responses and coping resources commonly discussed. Methods: We analyzed anonymized text data from Crisis Text Line (CTL), a free, U.S.-based digital crisis platform with over nine million conversations since 2017, focusing on a sample of texts mentioning "climate change." A comprehensive codebook was developed, incorporating predetermined and emergent codes for climate change exposures, crisis flags, emotional responses, and special topics. Using a structured, iterative thematic analysis approach that combined deductive and inductive methods, the study identified and categorized emerging themes. Results: A total of 337 text transcripts were analyzed. Texters displayed significant emotional responses to climate change, grouped into three categories: Eco-anxious, General Climate Concern, and Fatalistic Future Outlook. Findings reveal the tangible impacts of extreme weather, the exacerbating role of media coverage, and the interaction between climate change and other life stressors. Texters used various coping strategies for climate-related distress, including social support, creative and nature-based activities, positive information, and professional resources like CTL. Counselor-recommended techniques, such as grounding exercises and journaling, also helped manage emotional well-being. Conclusions: Themes underscore the complex nature of texters' emotional and psychological responses, varied coping mechanisms, and how climate concerns can inspire proactive environmental actions. The analysis highlights the urgent need for targeted support interventions, particularly for those with a fatalistic outlook, to address mental health challenges related intensifying climate events.

Indexed as

Climate changeCoping strategiesCrisis text platformEcologic anxietyMental healthResilienceYoung adults

Identifiers

PMID40452860
PMCPMC12124416

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.