Socioeconomic Status, Climate Change, and Mental Health: An Interdisciplinary Perspective

Given the documented evidence that the relationship to one’s physical environment is a determinant of mental health outcomes, it is important to examine how psychological researchers could apply clinical and research expertise to tackle social policy concerns. This paper provides an overview of how socioeconomic factors contribute to mental health disparities, particularly those related to climate change. Fundamental Cause Theory, which discusses the ability of socioeconomic status to influence health through a number of pathways, is used to explain climate-related disparities and examine risk factors that arise due to lower SES on mental well-being, such as increased exposure to environmental hazards. This work discusses the importance of one’s ecology and community infrastructure, the impact of unequal access to natural spaces, and additional structural impediments of climate inequalities. After reviewing the literature and highlighting the link between SES and climate-related impacts, this paper suggests policy-focused solutions to achieve climate justice and improve mental health. Moreover, it emphasizes that while green infrastructure, which refers to practices that incorporate nature into communities, will help combat climate-related disparities, it’s also important to acknowledge the need to avoid green gentrification, which entails the reproduction of systemic inequities and can alienate or displace certain community residents. Finally, this paper aims to inspire other scholars to create institutional change as a means of serving communities which have been disproportionately marginalized by the impact of socioeconomic inequality during the climate crisis.