A review of early childhood psychosocial interventions following extreme weather events in low- and middle-income countries.

AIMS: As a result of climate change, extreme weather events have increased in frequency, representing one of the most pressing concerns to physical and mental health globally, especially for children. Research suggests that extreme weather events uniquely and adversely affect children in low- and middle-income countries due to developmental and contextual factors. Given the advantages of early intervention, it is critical to aggregate and evaluate current interventions to support this population. This review aims to synthesise evidence on the impact of interventions targeting the development, mental health or wellbeing in early childhood (ages 0-8 years) following extreme weather events in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: This review was preregistered with PROSPERO (CRD42023479342). Literature available on seven scientific databases (PsycINFO, Embase, MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, ERIC, and Cochrane) until February 2024 were reviewed and 744 articles were identified. A grey literature search via Google Scholar, ProQuest, and international agency websites (e.g. Oxfam, UNICEF, Save the Children) identified an additional 48 sources for screening. None of the sources met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS: The current review is an empty review with no interventions included. CONCLUSION: The lack of eligible publications within this review indicates an absence of evaluations of interventions in early childhood that may support a population disproportionately vulnerable to the adverse effects of increasing extreme weather events. Research and policy efforts to address this significant gap should prioritise this critical area, focusing on rigorous evaluations and transparent reporting.