Environmental philosophy, threat and well-being

Abstract

This thesis represents a comprehensive attempt to address the dearth of research on relationships between environment and mental health. The aim is to present a novel theoretical and empirical investigation of the links between environmental values, perceived environmental quality and psychological well-being. Across seven chapters we have endeavoured to tell this story, by weaving together strands from the pertinent literature and unravelling meaning from responses to more than one thousand questionnaires. Multiple levels of design and analysis were employed to examine existing and new theoretical propositions. Survey methods were employed, in three separate studies, to collect cross-sectional and longitudinal data from young people attending academic institutions in Dublin. Sampling included convenience and matched group methods. Aspects of the third study involved field research on an experiential education program for ecology and enterprise. Following schematic representation of the constructs, factorial, and path modelling were employed to examine the nature of eco-wellness: the relationships between eco-philosophy, threat, and well-being.