“What Can We Do?”: A Psychological Perspective on (Mal)Adaptive Coping Strategies and Barriers to Coping in an Area of Severe Climate Vulnerability in Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: As the mental well-being of billions of people is at risk due to the impacts of climate change, more research is required to better understand the psychological implications of climate vulnerability. This research aims to describe the coping strategies of a climate change affected population and the consequences of adaptation behavior. Method: We conducted 60 qualitative in-depth interviews to elicit the lived experiences of climate-vulnerable men and women in Bhola, Bangladesh. Interviews were analyzed following the tenets of Grounded Theory. Results: Identified coping strategies included “resignation” or “help-seeking” as well as barriers to coping, such as limited “efficacy,” limited “time,” or “stigma,” which constrained participants — especially women — in their coping behavior. Conclusion: Our results indicate that certain barriers can lead people to pursue more easily accessible coping strategies, some of which can be interpreted as maladaptive. It is therefore recommended to lift barriers to coping through community-led interventions, such as platforms for sharing problems and knowledge regarding coping strategies.