Older Age Is Associated with Fewer Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Following Extreme Weather Adversity

JoNell Strough (), Ryan Best, Andrew M. Parker, Esha Azhar and Samer Atshan
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JoNell Strough: Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Ryan Best: Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Andrew M. Parker: RAND Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Esha Azhar: Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
Samer Atshan: Center for Economic and Social Science Research, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: Climate change is associated with an increase in the frequency of extreme weather that threatens emotional well-being, with some research pointing to increased vulnerability among older adults. We investigated how age relates to depression and anxiety following adversities due to extreme weather or natural disaster. Socioemotional selectivity theory (SST) posits that older age buffers against emotional distress. The strength and vulnerability integration model (SAVI) posits that this age-related advantage is attenuated during periods of acute stress. Members ( n = 9761, M age = 52.22, SD = 16.36 yrs) of a nationally representative, probability-based US internet panel, the Understanding America Study (UAS), reported their experience with extreme weather or natural disaster (e.g., severe storms, tornado, flood), associated adversities (e.g., property loss), and depression and anxiety over the past month. Of the 1075 respondents experiencing extreme weather or natural disaster, 216 reported related adversity. Those experiencing adversity reported more anxiety and depression than those with no events, while extreme weather or disaster alone made no significant difference. Consistent with SST, older age was associated with less depression and anxiety. This age-related benefit was most apparent among those experiencing weather- or disaster-related adversity, even when controlling for socio-demographic correlates. Findings highlight age-related emotional resilience with implications for climate change policy and practice.

Keywords: climate change; environmental disaster; resilience; mental health; health; well-being; aging; extreme weather; disaster recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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