RESEARCH

From “Powerless and Alone” to Finding “All the Great People Who Care”: A Co-Operative Inquiry with Young People Exploring Eco-Anxiety and Constructive Ways of Coping

This doctoral thesis explores eco-anxiety among young people, examining their emotional responses to climate change and identifying constructive coping strategies through co-operative inquiry in a Welsh high school.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Children/Youth

Setting or Context: Schools/Educational Settings

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Stress Management

Allied Profession Intersections: Education, Climate Psychology/Psychotherapy

Type of Activity: Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Case Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

The study investigates eco-anxiety—the emotional distress caused by awareness of climate change—among 13-14-year-old students and their supportive adults (teachers) in a Welsh high school. Through co-operative inquiry, participants shared their feelings and developed coping strategies, revealing key themes such as fear, disconnection, frustration with adult inaction, and the need for supportive conversations. Findings suggest that while eco-anxiety is a natural response, it becomes overwhelming when young people feel powerless or ignored.

Constructive coping mechanisms identified include peer support, open discussions, collective action, and reframing eco-anxiety as a sign of care rather than distress. Teachers played a crucial role in validating emotions and fostering proactive engagement, but many lacked confidence in addressing climate-related distress. The study advocates for integrating eco-anxiety education into school curricula, emphasizing the importance of safe spaces for dialogue, active hope-building, and collaborative problem-solving to empower young people in the face of climate uncertainty

Link

Togneri, H. (2022, August 22). From “powerless and alone” to finding “all the great people who care”: a co-operative inquiry with young people exploring eco-anxiety and constructive ways of coping. Orca.cardiff.ac.uk

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