Date of Graduation
Summer 2023
Document Access
Project/Capstone - Global access
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (MPH)
College/School
School of Nursing and Health Professions
First Advisor
Kelly L’Engle, PhD
Abstract
The greatest effects of climate change are likely to be felt by youth. Young people are disproportionately affected by climate change due to their critical developmental stage and lack of power, and they experience both higher severity and prevalence of mental health issues related to climate change. Strong emotions have long been recognized as potential catalysts for action, or they may lead to paralyzing feelings of being overwhelmed. Climate communication is a critical tool to spark climate concern and encourage action. Activism, in turn, may help youth manage their anxiety about climate change. This scoping review examines emerging evidence on communicating climate change issues with adolescents and identifying key characteristics or factors for success, particularly to facilitate climate action, and provides best practices to support adolescents to communicate their own messages on climate change as a potentially important avenue to engage youth action. The review includes peer-reviewed articles and gray literature focused on contextualizing adolescent development, best practices to work with youth/adolescents, and research on climate change education. The distinct social and neurodevelopmental stage of adolescents should be taken into consideration when communicating with youth on climate change and encouraging activism to harness their strengths and minimize their vulnerabilities. Climate change education should go beyond relaying facts and provide opportunities to support youth agency and action to transform perspectives. This review provides a practical synthesis of current information to foster successful climate communication for and by youth, and highlighting additional areas for further research.
Recommended Citation
Anderson, Gwendolyn Monica Hoff, "Meet Me in the Middle: A Scoping Review on Understanding Adolescent Needs in Climate Communication" (2023). Master's Projects and Capstones. 1447.
https://repository.usfca.edu/capstone/1447
Included in
Art Education Commons, Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Curriculum and Social Inquiry Commons, Educational Methods Commons, Educational Psychology Commons, Environmental Education Commons, Environmental Public Health Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Health Communication Commons, Junior High, Intermediate, Middle School Education and Teaching Commons, Language and Literacy Education Commons, Maternal and Child Health Commons, Psychiatric and Mental Health Commons, Public Health Education and Promotion Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Secondary Education Commons, Secondary Education and Teaching Commons, Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education Commons, Social Influence and Political Communication Commons
Comments
Note: This paper is part of a series regarding eco-anxiety and climate activism among youth. The following papers are part of the series: Ask Your Doctor About: Prescribing Activism for Eco-Anxiety in Adolescents; Building Sustainable Environmental Activism Programs for Youth; Youth Climate Change Activism: How Activism in Youth can be Encouraged to Help Combat Climate Change and Reduce Youth Health Impacts; Utilizing the Power of Youth for Climate Action: Implications for Health Professionals; Meet Me in the Middle: A Scoping Review on Understanding Adolescent Needs in Climate Communication. These papers were written to meet USF MPH Behavioral Health program CEPH Foundational Competencies (Appendix B).