The overlapping effects of climate change and conflict on mental health of vulnerable populations: a scoping review

Background

The mental health impacts of climate change and armed conflict are well-documented separately, yet little is known about their intersection and the compounding effects on vulnerable populations exposed to both crises.

Aims/objective

This scoping review aims to map the current evidence on the combined effects of climate change and conflict-related hazards on mental health outcomes. Specifically, we categorize the pathways through which climate change and conflict interact to influence psychological well-being.

Methods

We searched seven databases (PubMed, APA PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar) and conducted a comprehensive gray literature search. We included populations directly affected by armed conflict and climate hazards simultaneously. Eligible studies reported mental health outcomes, including but not limited to posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, well-being, or resilience.

Results

The initial search yielded 2,865 records, 27 of which met the inclusion criteria after deduplication and screening. Populations studied aligned with the Vulnerable Populations Conceptual Model, which includes women, children, the elderly, and other high-risk groups. Slow-onset climate hazards, particularly drought, were the most frequently examined. Geographically, research was focused primarily on sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. The evidence included a nearly equal distribution of conceptual and empirical studies (13 and 14 respectively), with displacement and lack of resources being the dominant pathways mediating the interaction between climate and conflict on mental health.

Conclusion

Despite growing evidence, substantial gaps remain regarding the effects of climate change and conflict on mental health outside Africa and parts of Asia. Mental health initiatives should prioritize populations exposed to both climate and conflict hazards, addressing displacement, vulnerability, and resilience through integrated, context-sensitive interventions.