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Abstract

This empirical dissertation investigates the dynamic ways in which climate change impacts the psychological wellbeing of children. The study incorporates a review of literature, a discussion of methodology in conducting interviews with children and young people aged between six to fifteen in Australia, and an analysis of data obtained. The literature indicated that there is political inertia by the Australian government in tackling the causes of climate change and that children are often regarded as the passive victims of the impacts of this by policymakers. As natural disasters associated with our changing climate become more severe and frequent, a lack of individual and political action was suggested to have a greater effect on the health and wellbeing of children both today and in the future. The key findings in this study have revealed that children who are impacted by climate-induced natural disasters are in fact able to demonstrate significant levels of agency and positively handle any potential psychological impacts. The narratives of agentic children in Australia showed that negative psychological impacts may be caused by uncertainty but can be reduced by the resilience and adaptability encouraged and supported by family. These findings indicated that practitioners and policymakers therefore have the responsibility to create safe spaces and facilitate discourse so that children can exercise their agency. In doing so, there is a need to recognise children as active agents in their own right, who can offer invaluable insights into mitigating the effects of climate change through their unique worldviews.

Course: Childhood and Youth Studies - BA (Hons) - C1989F

Date Deposited: 2022-07-25

URI/permalink: https://library.port.ac.uk/dissert/dis13936.html