From Awareness to Agency: Psychosocial Dimensions of Climate Change among the Youth

Abstract

Climate change poses a profound and disproportionate threat to the psychosocial well-being of the youth. This scoping review systematically synthesizes evidence from 45 studies published between 2000 and 2024 to map the cognitive, affective, and behavioral responses of this demographic (ages 15–24) to the issue of climate change. The analysis reveals a critical "knowledge-agency paradox": youth demonstrate high awareness of climate change, yet this knowledge coexists with persistent scientific misconceptions, significant emotional distress, and a fractured sense of personal agency. A key temporal finding is the evolution of research priorities, shifting from an early focus on cognitive deficits to a contemporary emphasis on mental health, with studies on climate anxiety growing from 0% to 67% of the literature over the period. Affectively, high levels of climate-related worry are directly associated with increased symptoms of depression. Behaviorally, engagement is most effectively mobilized through community-based, collective interventions that foster a shared sense of purpose. Methodologically, the literature is predominantly quantitative (70.2%) and geographically concentrated in the Global North, failing to capture the nuanced, culturally specific experiences of youth worldwide. This review argues for a paradigm shift toward mixed-methods and culturally sensitive research. It underscores the urgent need for interventions that move beyond disseminating information to actively fostering collective efficacy and providing robust emotional support, thereby empowering youth to transition from awareness to meaningful agency.