Feick, Mara
When Action Feels Meaningless: How Spirituality and Eco-Anxiety Correspond. A mixed-methods research among youth living in the Netherlands.
Master thesis, Master Geestelijke Verzorging.
Abstract
Background
Eco-anxiety is an increasingly relevant phenomenon describing anxiety induced by the ecological crisis. That crisis confronts us with our most existential concerns, which makes eco-anxiety more than adaptive or paralyzing. When existential concerns are at stake, spirituality is often turned to. With connectedness to our surroundings as a basis of spirituality, it is assumed that spirituality can both trigger eco-anxiety and help to cope with it. However, so far only little is known about the relationship between spirituality and eco-anxiety.
Methodology
For this study, 110 young people between 15 and 30 years, living in the Netherlands, participated in an online survey examining eco-anxiety (HEAS-13), existential anxiety (ECQ) and spirituality (SAIL). Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to examine predictors of eco-anxiety. Additionally, five semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain more insight into the experience of eco-anxiety.
Results
The results of the survey indicate a positive correlation between existential anxiety and eco-anxiety. Trust, partially mediated by existential concerns, was tentatively associated with less affective symptoms, while Connectedness with Nature was found to be related to more Anxiety about the Personal Impact. The analysis of the interviews supports that youth experience different aspects of eco-anxiety and adds that feeling powerless can lead to ecoparalysis, whereas feeling connected with others is helping to stay resilient.
Discussion
This study provides support for regarding eco-anxiety as existential anxiety and shows that, instead of focusing on a reduction of symptoms, different dimensions of spirituality should be considered when struggling with eco-anxiety. However, further research is recommended to learn more about the interactions between the different factors.
Keywords: eco-anxiety, spirituality, existential anxiety
Actions (requires login)
 |
View Item |
