Exhibition of cold and heat could affect the mental health of adolescents, according to a study led by the Global Health Institute of Barcelona (ISGlobal), a center promoted by the Foundation«La Caixa «. investigationMade with almost 5,000 adolescents from the Netherlands (3,934) and Spain (885), highlights how exposure to Environmental temperaturesInfluence psychiatric symptoms such as anxiety, depression and attitude problems. The results have been published in Open Jama Network.
The study analyzed data from two major European birth cohorts: the study Generation r in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and the INMA PROJECT In Spain (Guipúzcoa, Sabadell and Valencia). The personal researcher evaluated the daily environmental temperatures in the households of the participating participants for three different periods of time, up to two months before evaluating psychiatric symptoms. These symptoms, which includes Internalization problem (Related, for example, with anxiety and depression), Externalized problems (Re -compliance and breach of the standards) and Attention problemThey were evaluated through a standardized questionnaire completed by mothers.
The data analysis showed that, in the Dutch cohort, Exposure to cold was associated with an increase in internalization problemssuch as anxiety and depressive symptoms. For example, an exhibition is two months at temperatures around 5.5 ° C entailed a significant increase in the scores of such problems.
On the age of side, the results of the Spanish cohort showed that Exposure to heat was related to an increase in attention problems. The adolescents exposed to an average temperature of 21.7 ° C for two months obtained higher saformative scores in this area. These results suggest that the mental health of LOSS and adolescents could be affected by moderate changes of a jester, observation of the hard different different according to the regions are colder or warmer.
«The fact of not detecting any association with the cold in adolescents in Spain or with the heat of the Netherlands participants could suggest that a prolonged exposure is required at extreme temperature temperature demonstrating effects,» he explains Mònica GuxensICREA research professor in Isglobal and author director of the study.
A public health problem that is increasing
Psychiatric symptoms, such as anxity, depression and atnine problems, They affect approximately one in seven adolescents between 10 and 19 years around the world. Climate change, consequent increase in extreme temperatures, can exacerbate disorders, especially in vulnerable population such as adolescents.
Exposure to cold Can trigger «thermoregulatory responses»Such as vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels), which can alter normal body temperature and brain function, causing internalization problems.
He heat exposure can aumar stress hormones (cortisol) and inflammation markerswhile hindering the cooling and oxygenation of the brain. This can affect concentration, and pritibuiro attention or iritibility problems. High night temperatures can also interfere with sleep, which worsens further Atheno’s problems.
Finally, Both cold and heat can cause physical discomfortWhich affects negative to mood and emotional well -being, contributing to psychiatric symptoms.
«More research is needed in varied climatic contexts for component how temperature variations can influence mental health,» he adds Esmae EssersResearcher of Islobal and author director of the study.
«Understanding how climatic factors affect mental health helps cek strategies to protect vulnerable groups, especially a teenagers,» he concludes Guxens. «Considering mental health in climate action policies could improve these initiatives.»
Reference
Essers E, Kusters M, Granés L, et al. Exposure to temperature and psychiatric symptoms in adolescents of 2 European birth cohorts. Jama Netw. Open. 2025; 8 (1): E2456898. DOI:10.1001/JAMANETWORKEPEN.2024.56898
