Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42083435›Full record

SynthesisJournal of adolescence2026

Nature-Based and Community-Level Responses to Climate Distress in Young People: A Systematic Review.

Meghana Bhupati, Nita Alexander, Yael Perry, Jack Farrugia

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Journal of adolescence, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

4 authors.

Meghana BhupatiSchool of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
Nita AlexanderJames Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Yael PerryThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.
Jack FarrugiaThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7619-330X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionClimate change is both an environmental crisis and a growing source of psychological distress for young people, calling for responses that nurture emotional resilience and collective engagement. The emerging response to climate distress has mainly focused on formal psychological and individual-level interventions. However, there is growing recognition that climate distress is shaped by collective, social, and structural conditions, and therefore may also require programs that extend beyond the individual.

methodsThe aim of this systematic review was to examine how nature-based and community-level programs support young people experiencing climate distress. A systematic search and synthesis of creative, educational, action-based, and nature-focused interventions yielded 11 records, each reporting on distinct interventions. Across studies, participant ages fell within the eligible range of 12-25 years. Programs were conducted in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and globally. Gender was variably reported across studies.

resultsFindings revealed that programs had the most perceived effectiveness when they enabled emotional expression, community connection, and direct engagement with nature. These experiences were reported to transform feelings of isolation and helplessness into belonging, meaning, and agency.

conclusionsA narrative synthesis of the findings revealed five potential recommendations for future nature-based and community-level programs: (i) integrate creative expression, (ii) strengthen community connection, (iii) ground programs in nature, (iv) embed cultural relevance, and (v) build pathways to collective action. Applying these recommendations may enhance the sustainability and impact of future programs and help reduce climate distress among young people through strengthened resilience and shared purpose.

Indexed as

Climate ChangePsychological DistressStress, PsychologicalAdolescentChildHumansYoung Adultclimate distresscommunity‐level interventionseco‐anxietymental healthnature‐based interventionsyouth

Identifiers

PMID42083435
PMCPMC13338646

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.