Climate Anxiety in a Young Population at Risk of Suicide

NCT07305688 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: 2025-A00139-40
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 108
• Locations: 0 countries
• Sites: N/A

Brief Summary

Background 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. Principal objective The present study aims to examine the relationship between climate anxiety and suicidal risk among young people aged 16 to 24 years. Methods This observational, cross-sectional, and multicentre study will be conducted at the Esquirol Hospital Center and the Mother and Child Hospital of Limoges, as well as at the Departmental Hospital Center La Candélie in Agen. 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. Perspectives 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. Expected benefits 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. The findings could support suicide prevention strategies, guide the development of specific therapeutic tools for eco-anxious youth, and foster future longitudinal research on the evolution of these conditions and their comorbidities

Conditions

Anxiety; Suicidal Ideation; Mental Health Issue; Environmental Exposure

Keywords

Eco-anxiety; Anxiety disorders; Suicide risk; Mental health; Young adults

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• 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

  10 min

• 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.

  10 min

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Extended Dimensions of Climate Change Anxiety

  10 min

• State and Trait Anxiety Scores

  20 min

Study Arms (1)

Young Population at Suicide Risk

Adolescents and young adults aged 16-24 years, recruited from emergency, inpatient, and outpatient psychiatry units at Esquirol Hospital Center (France). Participants complete standardized questionnaires assessing climate change anxiety (CCAS-FR), suicidal ideation and behavior (C-SSRS), and general anxiety (STAI-C or STAI-Y).

Other: Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale; Other: Climate Change Anxiety Scale - French version; Other: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, French version; Other: Socio demographic profil

Interventions

Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale OTHER

Standardized tool for evaluating suicidal ideation and behavior. Measures severity and intensity of suicidal thoughts and actions.

Young Population at Suicide Risk

Climate Change Anxiety Scale - French version OTHER

22-item self-report questionnaire assessing cognitive, emotional, functional, and pro-environmental dimensions of climate change-related anxiety.

Young Population at Suicide Risk

State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, French version OTHER

40-item self-report inventory measuring both state and trait anxiety levels.

Young Population at Suicide Risk

Socio demographic profil OTHER

Collects demographic and background variables such as age, gender, education level and living conditions.

Young Population at Suicide Risk

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 16 Years - 24 Years
• Sex: all
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study 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.

You may qualify if:

• 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 ;
• Having received full information about the study and having co-signed, together with the investigator, an informed consent form to participate in the study.
• For minor participants: the consent to participate in the study must be signed by the holder(s) of parental authority, and the minor's assent will also be required.

You may not qualify if:

• 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.
• Adults under legal protection, in accordance with article L 1121-8 of the Public Health Code ;
• Insufficient command of the French language

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Mireille BELLE MBOU: collaborator
• Emma BEAU: collaborator
• Centre Hospitalier Esquirol: lead

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Anxiety Disorders; Suicidal Ideation; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Mental Disorders; Suicide; Self-Injurious Behavior; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior; Personal Satisfaction

Central Study Contacts

Mireille BELLE MBOU, PhD

CONTACT

0587509130; mireille.bellembou@ch-esquirol-limoges.fr

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE CONTROL
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: December 12, 2025
• First Posted: December 26, 2025
• Study Start: January 15, 2026
• Primary Completion: January 16, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): March 31, 2027
• Last Updated: January 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share