Cognitive Behavioral Principles for Conceptualizing Young People’s Eco-Emotions and Eco-Distress

doi:10.1017/9781009252904.009

Chapter 8 - Cognitive Behavioral Principles for Conceptualizing Young People’s Eco-Emotions and Eco-Distress

from Part I - Conceptual Foundations of Climate Distress in Young People

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 June 2024

Elizabeth Marks and

Kelsey Hudson

Edited by

Elizabeth Haase and

Kelsey Hudson

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Elizabeth Haase: Affiliation:
University of Nevada, Reno
Kelsey Hudson: Affiliation:
Climate Psychology Alliance North America

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Summary

Young people’s ecologically related thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and physical sensations arise alongside a multitude of factors in their internal and external environments. This can be complex to understand and organize in therapeutic settings. Cognitive behavioral frameworks can be useful for understanding distress in young people and can encourage cognitive, emotional, and behavioral flexibility in their responses. This chapter provides an approach to eco-related psychological distress based on cognitive behavioral theory that can be used across a range of presentations. An overview of cognitive behavioral theory is provided, with an explanation about how it can provide insight into what can exacerbate and ameliorate unhelpful levels of eco-distress. Two examples of case conceptualizations are offered – one showing impairing eco-distress and one showing constructive eco-distress. The strengths and limitations of cognitive behavioral case conceptualizations are discussed.

Keywords

eco-distress cognitive behavioral theory youth case conceptualizations climate change

Information

Type: Chapter
Information: Climate Change and Youth Mental Health
Multidisciplinary Perspectives
, pp. 148 - 167

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009252904.009 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2024

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