Are we prepared for eco-anxiety? A systematic review of eco-anxiety management responses and their compatibility with the mental-health application “Sensa”

Abstract: Many people are struggling with eco-anxiety, a chronic fear of environmental doom. Currently, eco-anxiety is managed through face-to-face psychotherapy, but with a lack of eco-anxiety psychology specialists, mobile mental-health applications bring new possibilities. In this thesis, current psychological eco-anxiety management responses (EMRs) are thematically analysed through the lens of Integral Theory to identify alignment between mobile mHealth applications and EMRs, by using the mobile application “Sensa” as a case. A Systematic Literature Review method is used together with a qualitative screening of mental health responses from Sensa. Results show that while eco-anxiety could be managed with Sensa and similar mobile applications, an emphasis on emotion-focused coping and detachment techniques as responses could be detrimental. EMRs that are integral and equip people with flexible coping strategies should be incorporated. Findings illustrate that eco-anxiety management research should be prioritised in the context of global south, along with social, cultural and cross-sectional factors.