The play of defences in the climate and ecological emergency: A psychosocial exploration of therapy and eco-activism

Macagnino, Trudi

Abstract

Climate psychology is an emerging field of study concerned with the emotional, psychological and social processes that have contributed to the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) and our responses to it. There is a growing interest from the psychological professions in how to work with people presenting with eco-distress together with a growing activist movement concerned with sociopolitical change. Whilst substantial literature exists that theorises the role of unconscious individual defences and cultural factors in our responses, there is little empirical research that demonstrates how such processes might present themselves. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the play of feelings and psychological defences concerned with the CEE in the contexts of therapy and eco-activism.
A psycho-social approach was taken utlising free-association narrative interviews (FANI) and the biographical narrative interview method (BNIM) with therapists, clients and eco-activists. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Findings supported the literature regarding the range of feelings that people experience in relation to the CEE, such as fear, grief, sadness, anger, guilt and powerlessness and that these feelings are defended against through splitting, projection and distancing. The findings demonstrated that through activism these feelings can be transformed into more positive emotions such empowerment, excitement and togetherness. A key finding was the reciprocal splitting of inner/personal concerns from outer/social concerns in the two contexts of therapy and activism. Through social defences against anxiety therapists may avoid exploring the significance of the CEE with their clients, even if clients make side-mentions that could relate to the topic, and activists avoid reflection on how their activism relates to their personal histories.
I argue that therapy has a role in supporting people in living with the CEE but needs to be re-imagined and recrafted as an eco-psychosocial practice that allows space for outer/social concerns. The study offers much needed suggestions for how this could be achieved.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 3, 2024
• Keywords: eco-anxiety, counselling, psychotherapy, activism, unconscious defences, disavowal, social defences, containment, transitional space, free association narrative interview, psychosocial, eco-therapy
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/11471411
• Award Date: Apr 3, 2024