This PRISMA-ScR scoping review synthesized quantitative data on climate anxiety, concern, distress, and worry in community samples aged 0–24 years, examining prevalence, associated mental health outcomes, and influencing factors across 51 studies published through December 2025.
Prevalence of moderate-or-higher climate-related anxiety and worry ranged widely from 18% to 90% across studies. The most consistent mental health associations were with depressive symptoms (10 studies), generalized anxiety disorder symptoms (9 studies), and reduced wellbeing/life satisfaction (9 studies). Higher levels were more common in older adolescents, females, and gender-diverse individuals. Climate action engagement was linked to higher climate anxiety in 20 studies, suggesting a dual adaptive/maladaptive role.
- Majority of included studies were cross-sectional (41/51), preventing causal conclusions about directionality. - Wide methodological heterogeneity—non-standardized single-item measures, varied construct definitions—limits comparability and introduces detection bias. - Strong WEIRD bias: over half of studies from Western Europe, Australia, and North America; Global South and children under age 10 are markedly underrepresented.
Climate anxiety and worry are common among youth and linked to depression and GAD symptoms—clinicians should screen for these in young patients, especially older adolescents and gender-diverse youth. Framing climate emotions as valid responses and supporting problem-focused coping (e.g., climate action, resilience-building) may buffer negative mental health effects.
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