Alejandro Domínguez Rodríguez

I am Alejandro Domínguez Rodríguez, an Assistant Professor in the Psychology, Health and Technology section at the University of Twente. My research is centred on improving mental health and well-being in the general population. I try to achieve this by analyzing the impact of major stressors such as climate change and addiction to digital media, among others. Currently, I am working on the impact on mental health due to climate change and the development of eco-emotions such as eco-anxiety, eco-grief, solastalgia, and the overconsumption of negative news related to climate change driven by doomscrolling. Regarding online interventions, I am conducting international RCTs, such as Wellbeing Online, which includes two European countries, the Netherlands and 5 Latin American Countries.

Project Title

Promoting pro-environmental behaviour by understanding and analyzing the impact on mental health due to climate change

Social transition(s) addressed

The project aims to identify the most prevalent eco-emotions and the most affected groups by them, aiming to foster resilience in a world affected by climate change. A central part of this project is pro-environmental behaviour (PEB), which research suggests is related to eco-emotions and could play a vital role in promoting sustainable lifestyles.

Behavioural change addressed

Adoption of PEB to reduce the impact of eco-emotions. Increasing coping strategies to deal with the eco-emotions

Theoretical approach

The literature on this topic is limited, therefore I am conducting diverse projects and translating questionnaires into Dutch and German. More of my work on this topic can be found in Dominguez-Rodriguez et al. (2023). I am also collaborating with the creators of the original questionnaires on eco-emotions and PEB.

Empirical research strategies

To address these challenges I use diverse research methods, such as cross-sectional and qualitative studies, and mostly the design and implementation of user-centred online interventions.

Possibilities for inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration

My research line is open to collaborating with psychologists and other physical and mental health researchers. Sociologists and data scientists are also welcome to join the project.

Important Themes for Social Sciences

This project aims to address a pressing societal challenge where interdisciplinary research expertise is fundamental. Climate change is an enduring issue that will continue to shape our world for decades, with its impacts becoming increasingly evident through natural disasters such as flooding, heat waves, and biodiversity loss. Understanding how these changes affect mental health and providing the population with strategies to handle eco-emotions while promoting PEB can bring significant benefits to both current and future generations.