Energy loss during interactions between high-energy particles and target materials mainly consists of nuclear and electronic energy losses. Electronic stopping and electron-phonon coupling effects are two different mechanisms that reflect electronic energy loss effects. To accurately simulate the irradiation damage process of high-energy particles, it is necessary to solve the key scientific problem of the influence of electronic energy loss on irradiation damage. This paper reviews the most recent progress on the irradiation damage behavior study of several key structural materials under the influence of electronic energy loss effects, elaborates the effects of electronic stopping, electron-phonon coupling, and electronic thermal conductivity on irradiation defects. The influence laws of electronic energy loss effects on the irradiation damage of target materialsare summarized and the existing problems in the research of high-energy particle irradiation of target materials are highlighted. Finally, the prospectives are outlined for future research directions.