Integrating positive psychology and spirituality in the context of climate change

Abstract

In the context of climate change and its accompanying impact on stress and mental health, we argue that positive psychology (PP) may benefit from an integration of spirituality to better support people’s wellbeing. Starting with an overview of climate change’s impact on wellbeing and health, we explore the paradoxical and complex relationship between humans and nature. Following which, we will briefly define spirituality and present an evocative metaphor of the wave to portray the evolution of the field of PP. In our conclusive remarks, we argue that the field of PP has gradually become more open to integrate spirituality (since the first wave), as it evolves towards greater complexity (in its third wave). In addition to meaning, some spiritual perspectives potentially relevant to positive psychology facilitate an ecocentric view (i.e., eco-spiritualities) which allow for a better understanding of the paradoxical human-nature relationship, as we struggle to deal with the complex issues related to climate change.

Ecospirituality and Health: A Systematic Review

“…Appendix 1 outlines the results of the MMAT quality appraisal of the individual studies. One study was identified as a mixed method (Nawrath et al, 2022 ), nine as qualitative studies (Bellehumeur et al, 2022 ; Lestar & Böhm, 2020 ; Cloud & Redvers, 2023 ; Denis et al, 2022 ; Hategan, 2021 ; Keaulana et al, 2021 ; Skoko et al, 2021 ; Nalau et al, 2018 ; Oberholzer-Dent et al, 2023 ), and four as quantitative studies (Kras & Keenan, 2020 ; Oliveira et al, 2022 ; Vitorino et al, 2018 ; Walls et al, 2022 ). All included studies addressed both screening questions, stated the research aims, and justified the findings to answer the research questions.…”

“…However, studies indicate that exposure to natural disasters or knowledge about them generates significant stress or anxiety in some individuals. This situation can generate frustration and helplessness owing to the inevitable consequences of the environmental crisis, both in the short and long term (Bellehumeur et al, 2022 ). Similarly, other studies have explained how the natural environment prevents or helps against certain mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.…”

“…Furthermore, spending time in contact with nature, seen as a spiritual practice, provides humanity with a connection with the planet, evokes healthy behaviors for the environment, and therefore for people's mental health. By integrating spirituality within the framework of climate change and nature, the term ecospirituality could begin to be used, since the purpose of what is explained is to exalt the value of everything that makes up nature: human and non-human, and to guide our actions to protect the planet and ourselves (Bellehumeur et al, 2022 ). Encouraging the encounter between the practices of ecospiritualities could help to bring greater strengthen the struggles for environmental justice in communities.…”

“…Other studies have supported a relationship between environmental problems and human health. Specifically, at a global level, concerns about the challenges presented by environmental crises are increasing every day (Bellehumeur et al, 2022 ; Lestar & Böhm, 2020 ).…”

Study on positive psychology from 1999 to 2021: A bibliometric analysis

“…At the same time, there is a possibility of ignoring some meaningful literature. For example, in considering the role of positive psychology in global issues, some researchers suggest that positive psychology may benefit from the integration of spirituality to better support people's well-being (Bellehumeur et al, 2022); others have found that positive psychology has a considerable impact on employees' green behavior (Meyers and Rutjens, 2022). Second, we did not conduct an in-depth assessment of the literature, only those in WoSCC; other databases, such as Scopus, MEDLINE, and PubMed, are available.…”