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

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.