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.

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.

Comparative Studies on Psychological Risk Factors from Chronic Climate Change Disasters 

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.

Washington State University at Tri-Cities

Much of the research done on the psychological impact of natural disasters shows higher rates of psychological distress or disorders in those affected than in the general population. Research often shows those affected by climate-related natural disasters have higher rates of:
 - PTSD
 - Anxiety
 - Depression

Mental Health Outcomes Following Natural Disaster Events

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

Anxiety is a common mental health factor studied after exposure to natural disasters and the research shows that greater exposure to natural disasters is linked to more symptoms of anxiety-related disorders.

Anxiety and Natural Disaster Exposure

Research shows that outcome trajectories for acute-onset natural climate change-related disasters are similar to those of other traumatic life events where the majority of people involved come out of the event with healthy and normative function, or resilience.

Trajectory Outcomes of Acute-Onset Climate Disasters and Relation to Mental Health and Resilience

The research on climate change-related natural disasters has reached a general consensus on the mental health factors that climate change affects. Terms like eco-anxiety, climate anxiety, and climate-related grief (among others) have been coined to describe the mental health impacts that climate change-related disasters can cause. While a general consensus has been reached, trajectory models and longitudinal studies should be performed consistently on both acute-onset and chronic climate change disasters in order to get a better picture both of psychological distress from these events and the resilience often reported in populations that are continually plagued by these events.

Further Study Necessary on Chronic and Acute-Onset Climate Disasters and the Relation to Mental Health and Resilience 

Populations exposed to major natural disasters, a form of mass trauma, often show elevated rates of PTSD. For example, research conducted one year after Hurricane Katrina found that nearly 21% of residents in the affected areas suffered from the disorder.

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