A systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship of eco-emotions on the mental health and wellbeing of young adults
Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, cilt.18, sa.3, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Derleme
- Cilt numarası: 18 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1111/aphw.70157
- Dergi Adı: Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Educational research abstracts (ERA), MEDLINE, Psycinfo
- Anahtar Kelimeler: eco-anger, eco-anxiety, eco-emotions, eco-fear, mental health, young adults
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Hacettepe Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır
Özet
This paper systematically reviews the literature on levels of eco-emotions reported by young adults (aged 18–29) across nations, with meta-analyses of associations between eco-anxiety and mental health outcomes. Fourteen databases were searched for relevant studies. Fifty-nine studies reported levels of eco-emotions, with 37 studies reporting associations between eco-anxiety and each of anxiety, depression, and stress. Eco-anxiety was the most reported eco-emotion. Higher scores of eco-anxiety and eco-fear were reported by populations facing direct environmental impacts. Eco-anger and eco-hope were reported to have a role in adaptive coping. Meta-analyses indicated moderate, significant positive associations between eco-anxiety and depression r = 0.29, anxiety r = 0.34, and stress r = 0.30. Meta-regressions were conducted to explore heterogeneity. Our results highlight the importance of addressing heterogeneity in operationalizing the construct of eco-anxiety and the need to collect data on eco-emotions in low-and-middle-income nations, which is lacking in the current literature.