Meaning in Life Mediates the Association between Environmental Engagement and Loneliness

Fanli Jia, Kendall Soucie, Kyle Matsuba and Michael W. Pratt
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Fanli Jia: Department of Psychology, Seton Hall University, South Orange, NJ 07079, USA
Kendall Soucie: Department of Psychology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON N9B 3P4, Canada
Kyle Matsuba: Department of Psychology, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Surrey, BC V3S 6R1, Canada
Michael W. Pratt: Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, Canada

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-12

Abstract: Although the positive outcomes of human–environment interactions have been established, research examining the motivation between engagement in pro-environmental activities and psychological well-being is limited. In this mixed-methods study, the relationship between pro-environmental engagement, meaning in life, and well-being, including loneliness and depression, were investigated in a sample of 112 young adults in Canada. It was found that engaging in pro-environmental activities was negatively associated with loneliness. This association was mediated by meaning in life (e.g., an intrinsic motive of caring for future generations). In addition, qualitative analyses explored how engaging in pro-environmental activities has a meaningful impact on meaning in life, and on well-being. A thematic analysis generated three unique themes: (1) responsibility to teach the next generation about the environment, (2) deep appreciation for and connection to nature, and (3) renewed agency through self-directed learning. Overall, findings suggest that meaning in life is a core motive that underlies the association between environmental engagement and loneliness. The present study enriched the relationship between pro-environmentalism and well-being with a mixed-methods perspective.

Keywords: environmental action; well-being; loneliness; meaning in life; care for the future (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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