Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Eco-anxiety and wellbeing: finding meaning through collective action (#198)

Simon SGT Goulet-Tinaoui 1 , Anne-Sophie ASGL Gousse-Lessard 1 , Maxime MB Boivin 2
  1. UQÀM, Montreal, QC, Canada
  2. environmental health, INSPQ, Montréal, QC, Canada

 

The growing awareness towards the climate change threat and other environmental issues represents a challenge for the psychological and collective wellbeing (Clayton et al., 2014; Hayes et al., 2018). Many seem to be deeply affected by a sense of loss, helplessness, guilt and frustration in the face of uncertainty and their inability to improve the situation (Moser, 2013; Pihkala, 2020). These eco-emotions sometimes lead to a form of psychological distress, and a chronic and existential apprehension of the ruin of our civilization called ecoanxiety (Albrecht, 2011; Clayton et al., 2017). The phenomenon of ecoanxiety has grown in recent years, notably in Quebec, Canada (Champagne St-Arnaud & Daignault, 2020). While a growing body of research attempts to understand and better conceptualize ecoanxiety, very few examine its influence on active civic engagement towards the environmental cause or how it all relates to wellbeing (Ojala, 2007; Pihkala, 2020). In the context of a large study on ecoanxiety in Quebec, we have studied the interrelations between ecoanxiety and collective environmental engagement. To do so, 15 semi-directed interviews were conducted with young Quebecers (aged between 18 and 35) actively engaged toward the environmental cause and the fight against climate change. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed qualitatively through QSR NVivo, on the basis of existing scientific knowledge on the meaning of life (Torkar, 2015; Wong, 2017; Seligman, 2002), stress and coping strategies (Homburg et al., 2006; Lazarus & Folkman, 1984), and activism (Klar & Kasser, 2009). Preliminary results show benefits of collective environmental engagement on wellbeing and ecoanxiety, notably through meaning-focused coping strategies. The present findings contribute to the advancement of knowledge on ecoanxiety and are discussed in light of mindfulness research and potential clinical applications (Garland et al., 2015). 

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  • Keywords: Coping and Emotion Regulation, Environment and Nature, Meaning and Purpose, Mindfulness, Sustainability