Eco-anxiety shows moderate positive association with depression, anxiety, and stress in young adults

This systematic review evaluated the relationship between eco-emotions and mental health outcomes in young adults aged eighteen to twenty-nine years. The analysis included fifty-nine studies that reported levels of eco-emotions, with thirty-seven specifically examining associations with anxiety, depression, and stress. The review covered settings across various nations to assess the breadth of this emerging concern.

The main results indicated moderate, significant positive associations between eco-anxiety and each of the three mental health outcomes. Specifically, the data suggested a moderate positive association with depression, anxiety, and stress. These findings highlight a consistent link between environmental distress and psychological well-being in this demographic.

The authors note important limitations regarding the lack of data on eco-emotions in low-and-middle-income nations. Additionally, there is significant heterogeneity in how the construct of eco-anxiety is operationalized across the included studies. These factors suggest that caution is needed when interpreting the findings for broader populations or different economic contexts.

The practice relevance emphasizes the need to address these operational inconsistencies and to collect more data from underrepresented regions. Clinicians should recognize the potential impact of environmental concerns on the mental health of young adults while acknowledging the current gaps in the evidence base.