Eco-Anxiety Narratives among Young Adults in the Contemporary Climate Crisis


Authors

(1) * Zhumakadyrova Nagima Shailobekovna   (Minin Nizhny Novgorod State Pedagogical University, Nigeria)  
        Nigeria
(*) Corresponding Author

Abstract


The contemporary climate crisis has increasingly affected young adults, producing eco-anxiety characterized by fear, grief, guilt, and uncertainty. This study aims to explore how young adults construct and communicate eco-anxiety narratives, and how these narratives influence emotional experiences, behavioral agency, and responses to climate information. A qualitative narrative inquiry was employed with 20 purposively selected young adults, integrating in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and analysis of digital documentation. Findings reveal three central patterns: first, interconnected emotional themes of grief, guilt, anger, and uncertainty; second, narrative-driven agency outcomes, where participants displayed either paralysis or proactive activism; and third, digital exposure shaping emotional salience, moral reflection, and narrative elaboration. The study’s novelty lies in framing eco-anxiety as a narrative-mediated phenomenon that integrates psychological, social, and digital dimensions. Implications suggest that educators, mental health professionals, and climate organizations can support youth coping and engagement by facilitating narrative spaces, structured discussions, and responsible curation of digital content to transform anxiety into constructive action.



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