Human Responses and Adaptation in a Changing Climate: A Framework Integrating Biological, Psychological and Behavioural Aspects

Cianconi, Paolo; Hanife, Batul; Grillo, Francesco; Zhang, Kai; Janiri, Luigi

doi:10.20944/preprints202106.0732.v1

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 120 publications

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Section: Biodiversity Loss and Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We are only beginning to understand the functional adaptation (biological, phenotypical, behavioural and technological) that our species can generate in the face of a radical change such as the massive loss of biodiversity: maladjustments range from the psychopathology of individuals and groups to processes of collapse of complex societies in general. 19 Besides biodiversity loss, worsening habitat conditions may push people towards migration, which is itself a risk factor for major psychiatric disorders. It can be hypothesised that our slow reactive adaptation to the rapid loss of biodiversity might reduce our resilience to major stressors and traumatic experiences.…”

Section: Biodiversity Loss and Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Climate change, biodiversity loss and mental health: a global perspective

Cianconi¹,

Hirsch

Chiappini

et al. 2022

BJPsych Int.

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Climate change can have various psychopathological manifestations which have been more actively addressed by scientific research only in recent years. Indeed, extreme weather events and environmental changes have been shown to be associated with a range of mental health problems. Following the destruction of ecosystems, biodiversity loss can cause mental distress and emotional responses, including so-called ‘psychoterratic’ syndromes arising from negatively felt and perceived environmental change. Studies investigating relationships between biodiversity and mental health reveal a complex landscape of scientific evidence, calling for a better understanding of this challenging issue.

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Section: Biodiversity Loss and Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Biodiversity Loss and Mental Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate change, biodiversity loss and mental health: a global perspective

Cianconi¹,

Hirsch

Chiappini

et al. 2022

BJPsych Int.

Self Cite

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Modern Aspects of the Complex Interactions between Biodiversity and the Main Neuropsychiatric Disorders

2023

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The high incidence of psychopathologies recorded in today’s human society, correlated with the high percentages of biodiversity loss, point to the need for an interdisciplinary approach of the scientific fields under study—neuroscience and biodiversity conservation. Thus, our approach here presents, in a synergistic manner, the significant correlation between mental health and the increased values of biodiversity in the ecosystems located in the immediate vicinity, especially those located in the middle of cities. Our approach aims to emphasize the importance of biodiversity conservation in the context of preserving mental health and general well-being. There are a series of recent experimental demonstrations that outline the influence of natural elements on the human psyche and, implicitly, the effects of nature in the prevention and reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression. And beyond the cognitive barriers of humanity in relating to the surrounding biodiversity must lie the desire to know the values of biodiversity and the absolute importance of its conservation. The sustainable relationship between humans and living nature, seen as a complex of biodiversity, is dealt with by a branch of science called human ecology. Therefore, this study emphasizes the crucial need to know and respect the connection between man and nature, based, since time immemorial, on biophilia. And with the regression of ignorance and the correlated approach of several scientific fields, some at the intersection of the humanities and natural sciences, one can observe the progress of preserving the dynamic balance within ecosystems and, implicitly, the preservation of mental health and human well-being.

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The Process of Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Grief: A Narrative Review and a New Proposal

Pihkala

2022

Sustainability

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As the ecological crisis grows more intense, people experience many forms of eco-anxiety and ecological grief. This article explores the broad process of encountering eco-anxiety and ecological grief, and engages in the constructive task of building a new model of that process. Eco-anxiety and grief are here seen as fundamentally healthy reactions to threats and loss, and only the strongest forms of them are seen as problems. The aim is to help researchers, various professionals and the general public by providing a model which is (a) simple enough but (b) more nuanced than stage models which may give a false impression of linearity. The article uses an interdisciplinary method. The proposed new model includes both chronological and thematic aspects. The early phases of Unknowing and Semi-consciousness are followed potentially by some kind of Awakening and various kinds of Shock and possible trauma. A major feature of the model is the following complex phase of Coping and Changing, which is framed as consisting of three major dimensions: Action (pro-environmental behavior of many kinds), Grieving (including other emotional engagement), and Distancing (including both self-care and problematic disavowal). The model predicts that if there is trouble in any of these three dimensions, adjusting will be more difficult. The model thus helps in seeing, e.g., the importance of self-care for coping. The possibility of stronger eco-anxiety and/or eco-depression is always present, including the danger of burnout. The ethical and psychological aim is called Adjustment and Transformation, which includes elements of, e.g., meaning-finding and acceptance. The need for Coping and Changing continues, but there is more awareness and flexibility in a metaphase of Living with the Ecological Crisis, where the titles and subtitles of the three dimensions of coping are switched.

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Human Responses and Adaptation in a Changing Climate: A Framework Integrating Biological, Psychological and Behavioural Aspects

Cited by 3 publications

References 120 publications

Climate change, biodiversity loss and mental health: a global perspective

Climate change, biodiversity loss and mental health: a global perspective

Modern Aspects of the Complex Interactions between Biodiversity and the Main Neuropsychiatric Disorders

The Process of Eco-Anxiety and Ecological Grief: A Narrative Review and a New Proposal

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