A systematic review and meta-analysis on the relationship of eco-emotions on the mental health and wellbeing of young adults

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Rana S. S. J. B., Morris P. G., Brett C. E., Pacheco E., Demetriou K., Tunç H.

Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, vol.18, no.3, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 18 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1111/aphw.70157
  • Journal Name: Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being
  • Journal Indexes: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Educational research abstracts (ERA), MEDLINE, Psycinfo
  • Keywords: eco-anger, eco-anxiety, eco-emotions, eco-fear, mental health, young adults
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Hacettepe University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

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.