Unravelling The Knots: A Narrative Review on Eco-Anxiety, Pro-Environmental Behaviour and Mental Health

Abstract

Aim and Objective: To comprehensively examine the intricate relationship between eco-anxiety, mental health conditions, and engagement in pro-environmental behaviours. Top of Form Background: In the 21st century, climate change emerges as a paramount threat to global health, intertwining with concerns about mental well-being. Referred to as eco-anxiety, individuals experience persistent apprehension regarding environmental catastrophe, reflecting the perceived collapse of ecological foundations. Despite the importance of pro-environmental behaviours in mitigating this crisis, there remains a gap in understanding the potential relationship between eco-anxiety, mental health conditions, and participation in such behaviours. Design: Narrative Literature Review. Method: A comprehensive search of eight electronic databases was undertaken. Articles were assessed based on titles, abstracts, and full-text content to identify relevant studies focusing on the psychological impacts of climate change, the association between eco-anxiety and mental illness, and the relationship between eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviours. Results: Major themes that emerged from the literature are 1) Definitional Issues, 2) Impact of climate change on mental health, 3) Eco-anxiety as a mental health condition, 4) Assessment of eco-anxiety, 5) Eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviour (Eco-anxiety as a motivator), 6) Climate hope. Conclusion: There is a scarcity of studies on the interplay between eco-anxiety, mental health conditions, and pro-environmental behaviours. This review underscores the necessity for additional research to elucidate the placement of eco-anxiety along its continuum and the diverse psychosocial determinants that contribute to it.