Assessing and Mitigating Climate Change Psychological Distress: Scale Development and Pilot Intervention

Saahi Uppalapati

Advisor: Edward Wile Maibach, PhD, Department of Communication

Committee Members: Christopher E. Clarke, Kevin B. Wright, Susan Clayton

Commerce Building, #3006
April 18, 2025, 09:00 AM to 11:00 AM

Abstract:

Climate change poses an existential threat to human health and well-being, yet its mental health impacts remain under examined. This dissertation addresses that gap by conceptualizing Climate Change Psychological Distress (CCPD), developing and validating a brief screening tool to assess it, estimating its prevalence in two large, demographically diverse U.S. samples, and designing and pilot-testing an intervention to reduce CCPD. In Study 1, I adapted and modified widely used mental health screening tools (PHQ-4 and its subscales) to capture climate-specific psychological distress, resulting in the development of the Climate PHQ-4. Psychometric analysis of the scale suggests it has structural validity, functions consistently across age and racial groups, and has strong construct validity. Prevalence estimates from two surveys (n = 2,006) indicate that 70.6% of respondents fell within the normal range, while 15.8% experienced mild, 9.3% moderate, and 4.3% severe CCPD. Additionally, 16.9% and 14.1% reported potentially clinically significant levels of climate-related anxiety and depression, respectively. Higher levels of CCPD were particularly evident among younger people, Hispanic and Black Americans, those with less than a high school education, Democrats, and people categorized as Alarmed or Concerned in the Global Warming’s Six Americas segmentation. In Study 2, I developed and pilot-tested a text message-based intervention designed to reduce CCPD and promote well-being and pro-climate behaviors among people likely to be experiencing CCPD. Participants (n = 170) were recruited in partnership with climate advocacy organizations, and the intervention was evaluated using a randomized controlled trial with a waitlist control design. Over the course of one month, participants received two messages per week, with each week’s messages grounded in a different evidence-based construct—hope, self-efficacy, social norms, or response efficacy. Results indicate that the intervention was moderately effective in reducing CCPD, though it did not significantly improve well-being or increase pro-climate actions. Unexpectedly, individual pro-climate actions—such as turning off unused electronics, walking or biking instead of driving—declined. Qualitative evidence also suggests that many participants found the intervention encouraging, supportive, and helpful in fostering a sense of solidarity and connection. These findings highlight the potential of text messaging as a low-cost, scalable strategy to support those experiencing climate-related psychological distress. In sum, this dissertation advances the measurement of CCPD and contributes to the development of accessible, evidence-based approaches to support those experiencing the psychological toll of climate change.

All members of the George Mason University community are invited to attend.

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Meeting ID: 975 2966 3429