As opposed to acute-onset climate disasters, chronic ones happen over longer periods of time (sometimes multiple years), can be the result of slow, progressive climate degeneration, and have different markers that make them more difficult to study. Chronic climate change-related disasters include things like famine, droughts, desertification and long-term pest infestations.

Washington State University at Tri-Cities

Because of the nature of chronic climate-related natural disaster events, trajectory models do not work as well for predicting mental health and resilience factors. In these cases, qualitative research has been used.

Longitudinal Studies on Chronic Climate-Related Events and Psychological Health and Resilience 

Shuquan Chen, Rohini Bagrodia, Charlotte C. Pfeffer, Laura Meli, George A. Bonanno,
Anxiety and resilience in the face of natural disasters associated with climate change: A review and methodological critique, Journal of Anxiety Disorders, Volume 76, 2020, 102297, ISSN 0887-6185, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.janxdis.2020.102297.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0887618520301110)

Climate Change and Anxiety Reference

Chronic Climate Change-Related Disasters 

Using different analysis methods, researchers have conducted qualitative research comparing those affected by chronic climate disasters and those not affected.

Qualitative Study of Chronic Climate Disasters and Psychological Health

Research has shown that there might be further risk factors that change the mental health and psychological adjustment of different populations disproportionately. Those who live in rural areas or are of lower socioeconomic status and relying on land for their livelihood may be disproportionately impacted. As well, those who have a strong connection to the land or land-based work may be affected disproportionately.

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