Abstract
Environmental disasters have frequently been shown to impact the psycho-emotional states of humans, a phenomenon commonly termed eco-anxiety. Individuals who engage in close interactions with the environment may encounter more significant repercussions than other groups, including environmental volunteers. This study seeks to investigate the phenomenon of ecological anxiety among environmental volunteers. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological methodology, using three environmental volunteers as participants. Data were gathered through semi-structured, comprehensive interviews and analyzed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The results indicate that participants experienced the effects of environmental issues in three ways: emotionally, cognitively, and in their daily lives. Among these, emotional repercussions were the most pronounced, as participants expressed sentiments of anxiety, anger, concern, and sadness regarding environmental deterioration and the absence of behavioral change among individuals. The findings of this study suggest that organizations collaborating with environmental volunteers should provide emotional support and resilience-building initiatives to mitigate the psychological distress associated with climate anxiety while fostering sustained engagement in environmental activism.
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Recommended Citation
Jaro'ah, Siti; Pawasa, Cholifia Sarining; and Saffana, Kuni
(2026).
Eco-Anxiety Among Environmental Volunteers: The Emotional Cost of Caring for the Planet.
ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement, 10(1), 97-112.
Available at: https://doi.org/10.7454/ajce.v10i1.1447
