Climate Anxiety in a Young Population at Risk of Suicide
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot listed
Trial typeObservational
Biological sexAll
Age16-24
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Esquirol
About this trial
Climate change has become a major source of concern, particularly among younger generations who are facing the progressive degradation of ecosystems, loss of biodiversity, and alarming environmental information disseminated through the media. The direct perception of climate-related disruptions has been shown to engender a profound sense of helplessness and loss. This distress, termed eco-anxiety, is characterised by feelings of fear, sadness and guilt regarding the planet's future.
In a context where there has been a marked increase in suicidal thoughts and attempts among young people over the past decade, it is essential to explore the psychological manifestations of eco-anxiety within this vulnerable population. The paucity of studies investigating this association underscores the significance of the present research.
The aims of this study is to examine the relationship between climate anxiety and suicidal risk among young people aged 16 to 24 years.
The study will encompass 108 young participants aged between 16 and 24 years, who are either hospitalised or receiving outpatient psychiatric care.
Each participant will be required to complete one clinician-administered assessment, namely the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and two self-report questionnaires: the Climate Change Anxiety Scale - French version (CCAS-FR) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y).
Furthermore, a sociodemographic questionnaire will be administered in order to collect information regarding the subjects' age, sex, education level, living conditions, and psychiatric history.
It is hypothesised that there is a positive association between climate anxiety and suicidal risk, with the most eco-anxious participants showing higher C-SSRS scores. It is further predicted that eco-anxiety will correlate with elevated levels of state and trait anxiety, with the potential for modulating this relationship by sociodemographic factors, including gender.
This study will contribute to a better understanding of the psychological impacts of climate change on young people and help identify the most vulnerable profiles.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Men and women, boys and girls ;
Aged between 16 and 24;
Participants seen in adult or pediatric emergency departments, hospitalised in adult psychiatry or in child and adolescent psychiatry, or seen in outpatient consultation at Esquirol Hospital Center ;
Affiliated with a social security scheme or entitled to coverage under one ;
Disqualifiers
Participants will not be included in the study if their health condition is incompatible with understanding or completing the questionnaires used. This includes, in particular ;
Any chronic somatic pathology or major sensory impairment (for example : deafness or blindness) preventing reading, comprehension or communication with healthcare professionals ;
Any severe psychiatric pathology that significantly impairs cognitive or communication abilities, such as acute psychotic disorders, pervasive developmental disorders or confusional states ;
Participants hospitalised in units specialising in severe psychiatric disorders with major impairment of cognitive functions.
Trial population
The study population consists of 108 adolescents and young adults aged 16 to 24 years, recruited within the Esquirol Hospital Center (France). Participants are approached in adult and pediatric emergency departments, adult psychiatry, and child and adolescent psychiatry units, as well as during outpatient consultations.
Trial design
Design model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Treatments tested in this trial
Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale
Other interventionStandardized tool for evaluating suicidal ideation and behavior. Measures severity and intensity of suicidal thoughts and actions.
Climate Change Anxiety Scale - French version
Other intervention22-item self-report questionnaire assessing cognitive, emotional, functional, and pro-environmental dimensions of climate change-related anxiety.
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, French version
Other intervention40-item self-report inventory measuring both state and trait anxiety levels.
Socio demographic profil
Other interventionCollects demographic and background variables such as age, gender, education level and living conditions.
Treatment groups
108 Participants
are divided into 1 treatment groupGroup A: Young Population at Suicide Risk4 interventions
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Climate Change Anxiety Score
Global score from the 13-item French version of the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS-FR), obtained by summing the cognitive, emotional, and functional disturbance subscales. Higher scores indicate greater levels of climate change-related anxiety. Score ranges 13 to 65
Time frame
10 min2
Suicide Risk Score
Overall score of suicidal ideation and behavior assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS). Higher scores indicate greater suicide risk Score ranges from 2 to 25.
Time frame
10 minSecondary outcomes
1
Extended Dimensions of Climate Change Anxiety
Subdimension scores from the extended version of the CCAS-FR, assessing cognitive, emotional, and functional disturbances, as well as direct or indirect experience of climate change and pro-environmental behaviors.
Time frame
10 min2
State and Trait Anxiety Scores
Anxiety levels measured using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The STAI-C is used for participants aged 16-17 years, and the STAI-Y for those aged 18-24 years. Separate state and trait anxiety scores will be analyzed Score ranges 20 to 80
Time frame
20 minSponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov