‘None of us are islands’: A thematic analysis of navigating emotional engagement with climate change through social relationships

Abstract

There are comparatively few studies employing a relational perspective in existing climate change literature. This qualitative study aimed to explore relational experiences of emotional engagement with climate change. The following research questions were explored: how does engaging emotionally with climate change impact on social relationships, and how do social relationships affect the ways in which individuals engage with climate change? Data were collected during the Covid-19 pandemic via 12 remote interviews with adults who felt emotionally affected by the climate crisis. Sociograms were used as an elicitation tool to enhance reflection during the interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, and four themes were created: (i) sustainable activism: the ‘good enough’ climate activist; (ii) walking the tightrope: interpersonal emotional management; (iii) ‘it’s a relief not having to hide’; and (iv) planting seeds for change through relationships. Participants felt isolated in their emotional engagement with climate change when loved ones struggled to witness their climate-related distress. However, social relationships can help mediate pressure from within activist circles to fulfil an idealised activist identity. Participants also found opportunities for increased depth and authenticity within relationships through engagement with the climate crisis. Through highlighting these relational experiences, the findings are relevant to individuals engaging with the climate crisis and their loved ones, and recommendations are made for counselling psychologists and other psychologists and psychological therapists supporting clients who are emotionally engaged with the climate crisis. These include the importance of offering vital opportunities for attunement with climate-related grief and encouraging ‘good enough’ activism.