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A Thematic Analysis of Young Women's Relationship to the Discourse of Climate and Environmental Change

Lindberg, Max LU (2026) HEKK03 20252
Department of Human Geography
Human Ecology
Abstract
As a growing problem in the world, negative emotions caused by awareness of environmental and climate changes are seen as one of the biggest mental health crises of our generation. This study examines young women's relationship to eco-emotions through a thematic analysis to improve understanding of how this group can be affected by these emotions and how they can live with them. Women and young individuals have been repeatedly shown to be the groups who feel they get affected by these emotions the most. Still, only a few studies have been conducted to show and understand their experiences. Through interviews and thematic analysis, this study found that hopelessness is a significant part of their experience today, whereas earlier it was... (More)
As a growing problem in the world, negative emotions caused by awareness of environmental and climate changes are seen as one of the biggest mental health crises of our generation. This study examines young women's relationship to eco-emotions through a thematic analysis to improve understanding of how this group can be affected by these emotions and how they can live with them. Women and young individuals have been repeatedly shown to be the groups who feel they get affected by these emotions the most. Still, only a few studies have been conducted to show and understand their experiences. Through interviews and thematic analysis, this study found that hopelessness is a significant part of their experience today, whereas earlier it was characterised by worry and anger. A change grounded in the regression of self-efficacy belief caused by constant media reminders of everything that is going wrong, and a lack of coping mechanisms that leads to hopelessness and eco-paralysis. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lindberg, Max LU
supervisor
organization
course
HEKK03 20252
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
eco-emotions, pro-environmental behaviours, eco-feminism, eco-paralysis, coping mechanism, defence mechanism, emotional development
language
English
id
9217968
date added to LUP
2026-03-09 09:13:57
date last changed
2026-03-09 09:13:57
@misc{9217968,
  abstract     = {{As a growing problem in the world, negative emotions caused by awareness of environmental and climate changes are seen as one of the biggest mental health crises of our generation. This study examines young women's relationship to eco-emotions through a thematic analysis to improve understanding of how this group can be affected by these emotions and how they can live with them. Women and young individuals have been repeatedly shown to be the groups who feel they get affected by these emotions the most. Still, only a few studies have been conducted to show and understand their experiences. Through interviews and thematic analysis, this study found that hopelessness is a significant part of their experience today, whereas earlier it was characterised by worry and anger. A change grounded in the regression of self-efficacy belief caused by constant media reminders of everything that is going wrong, and a lack of coping mechanisms that leads to hopelessness and eco-paralysis.}},
  author       = {{Lindberg, Max}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{A Thematic Analysis of Young Women's Relationship to the Discourse of Climate and Environmental Change}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}