Rita Erica Fioravanzo
European Institute of Psychotraumatology and Stress Management, ItalyPresentation Title:
The first study on the impact of climate change on the mental health of young people in Italy aged between 18 and 35
Abstract
Background: This is the first study conducted in Italy aimed at examining the impact of climate change on the mental health of young people aged 18 to 35. Growing international evidence indicates that climate change is a significant psychological stressor, particularly for youth, who are both more aware of long-term environmental consequences and more vulnerable to eco-anxiety, helplessness, and existential distress (Clayton et al., 2017; Hickman et al., 2021; Cunsolo & Ellis, 2018). Research has shown that young people report high levels of worry, sadness, and anger in response to perceived governmental inaction and the threat to future life conditions, with mental health effects including anxiety, depression, and loss of life satisfaction (Hickman et al., 2021). These findings underscore the importance of understanding the specific emotional and cognitive reactions of youth to climate-related events and narratives.
Aims/Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the psychological and emotional effects of climate change on young Italians and to provide scientific evidence that could support national and international policymaking and intervention strategies.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection to offer a comprehensive perspective on the mental health implications of climate change. Quantitative measures included the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), the Climate Change Distress Index Scale (CCDIS), the Health and Environmental Anxiety Scale (HEAS), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Visions About Future (VAF) questionnaire, the Generalised Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7), and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). These instruments assessed variables such as climate-related anxiety, psychological distress, concern for personal health, life satisfaction, future-oriented outlooks, generalised anxiety, and depressive symptoms. The qualitative component consisted of two open-ended questions exploring the emotional experience of climate change and its perceived impact on daily life.
Results: The analysis revealed statistically significant correlations between the perception of climate change and its psychological impact on young Italians. The data confirmed that climate change is associated with elevated levels of anxiety, distress, and a diminished outlook on life satisfaction and future well-being among the youth population.
Conclusions: This study contributes novel empirical data on the psychological consequences of climate change in young people in Italy, underscoring the urgency of integrating mental health considerations into climate policy. We hope that these findings will raise awareness among policymakers and prompt the adoption of measures to support the psychological resilience of younger generations. At the international level, this research seeks to foster collaboration with other institutions and scholars to harmonize methodologies, share findings, and collectively address the global mental health implications of climate change.
Biography
Rita Erica Fioravanzo is the president and founder of the European Institute of Psychotraumatology and Stress Management (IEP) in Milan. She holds a PhD from the University of Ulm, a master's in attachment studies from University College London, and a master's in structural analysis of social behavior from Utah University. She has extensive experience in clinical psychology and psychotherapy, specializing in psychotraumatology. She has held leadership positions in public and private hospital neuro-psychiatric services and served as a consultant for emergency cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She is also a director of master's programs in Health Emergency Psychology and Psychotraumatology and Trauma Therapy and leads psychosocial missions in crisis zones.
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