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This dissertation explores strategies for addressing identity-related barriers to environmental problem-solving through the lens of two social-psychological theories: self-affirmation theory and moral foundations theory. Through one theoretical review, two online experiments and one in-lab experiment I explore, integrate and test theoretically grounded strategies for reducing the defensive information processing that can exacerbate intergroup divisions in multi-stakeholder settings. The specific objectives of this dissertation are to 1) integrate self-affirmation theory and moral foundations theory into the current knowledge about collaborative conservation (Chapter 2), 2) evaluate ways of tailoring environmental communication to better reach socially and politically diverse audiences (Chapter 3), and 3) experimentally test the effectiveness of an approach, based on self-affirmation theory, to facilitate productive discussion of complex, value-laden issues in group settings. Before presenting the results of this work, I provide a broad overview of the problem of group-based divisions in environmental conflict and the theoretical underpinnings of the dissertation (Chapter 1). Finally, I summarize the results and discuss the broader implications of the research (Chapter 5). The results of this research offer initial insights into how tools grounded in these theories can most effectively be applied to help alleviate identity-based barriers to environmental problem-solving. / Doctor of Philosophy / This dissertation explores strategies for addressing identity-related barriers to environmental problem-solving through the lens of two social-psychological theories: self-affirmation theory and moral foundations theory. Through one theoretical review, two online experiments and one in-lab experiment I explore, integrate and test theoretically grounded strategies for reducing the defensive information processing that can exacerbate intergroup divisions in multi-stakeholder settings. The specific objectives of this dissertation are to 1) integrate self-affirmation theory and moral foundations theory into the current knowledge about collaborative conservation (Chapter 2), 2) evaluate ways of tailoring environmental communication to better reach socially and politically diverse audiences (Chapter 3), and 3) experimentally test the effectiveness of an approach, based on self-affirmation theory, to facilitate productive discussion of complex, value-laden issues in group settings. Before presenting the results of this work, I provide a broad overview of the problem of group-based divisions in environmental conflict and the theoretical underpinnings of the dissertation (Chapter 1). Finally, I summarize the results and discuss the broader implications of the research (Chapter 5). The results of this research offer initial insights into how tools grounded in these theories can most effectively be applied to help alleviate identity-based barriers to environmental problem-solving.

Studien belyser anledningar till att sju flickor börjat med själskadebeteende samt vad som varit avgörande faktorer till att de minskat eller slutat med sitt självskadebeteende. För att göra detta har sju självbiografier lyssnats på och analyserats. Teoretiska utgångspunkter i studien är självbekräftelseteorin som syftar till att förklara varför en individ ser på sig själv på ett visst sätt och handlar därefter samt begreppet återhämtning som beskriver vägarna ur självskadorna. Ur självbiografierna betonades två huvudområden kopplade till varför tjejerna inlett sina självskadebeteende, hantera ångest och hantera en dålig självkänsla samt två huvudområden gällande avgörande händelser som tagit de ur problematiken, en mening med livet och en rädsla för att dö. En nedsatt självkänsla samt traumatiska händelser i barndomen som medfört starka ångestkänslor har visat sig vara två vanliga faktorer till varför tjejerna inlett sitt självskadebeteende. Precis som begreppet återhämtning betonar så visade det sig att tjejernas vändpunkter som tog de ur självskadorna varierade kraftigt men att personer i deras omgivning och en vilja till förändring visade sig vara avgörande för majoriteten. / The study sheds light on the reasons why seven girls started with self-harming behavior and what were decisive factors for them reducing or ending their self-harming behavior. To do this, seven autobiographies have been read and analyzed. The theoretical starting points are self-affirmation theory which aims to explain why an individual looks at themselves in a certain way and acts accordingly and the concept of recovery which describes the ways out of self-harm. The autobiographies emphasized two main areas linked to why the girls started their self-harming behavior, dealing with anxiety and dealing with poor self-esteem,as well as two main areas regarding decisive events that took them out of the problem, and a meaning to life and a fear of dying. Decreased self-esteem and traumatic events in childhood that led to strong feelings of anxiety have been shown to be two common factors as to why the girls started their self-harming behavior. Just as the concept of recovery emphasizes, it turned out that the girl’s turning points that took them out of self-harm varied greatly, but that people in their environment and a will to change proved to be crucial for the majority.

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