Climate anxiety: Is it adaptive or maladaptive? Investigating associations with environmentally relevant behaviour

Roberts, Alice 2024. Climate anxiety: Is it adaptive or maladaptive? Investigating associations with environmentally relevant behaviour. ClinPsy Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

On viewing Earth from outer space, some astronauts have described experiencing an overwhelming sense of awe and connection with Earth and life residing on it (Yaden et al., 2016). For most of us, a more tangible illustration of the connectedness, and the fragility, of life on Earth may be climate change. No Earth-bound species is exempt from climate change-related threats, yet humanity is uniquely placed to address them. Awareness of climate change may understandably be distressing. Some have proposed that a degree of distress, perhaps reflecting awareness of climate changerelated threats to things people value, such as the environment and the future of humanity, may be necessary to motivate action to address these (Climate Psychology Alliance, 2022). Systemic change is however needed to address climate change, with those in power, such as governments, being best placed to facilitate this. Yet research indicates many perceive necessary systemic changes have not been forthcoming (e.g. Hickman et al., 2021). Research is further increasingly reporting that people across the globe, including in the United Kingdom, are experiencing ‘climate anxiety’ (e.g. Hickman et al., 2021; Whitmarsh et al., 2022). Climate, or eco-, anxiety has been defined as a “chronic fear of environmental doom” (Clayton et al., 2017, p.68). Concerningly, there is evidence that higher levels of climate anxiety may be associated with poorer mental health generally. Research has thus sought to explore a potentially complex and multifaceted picture regarding how more or less adaptive climate anxiety may be. One approach to elucidating the adaptive nature of climate anxiety has been to explore associations with environmentally relevant behaviours (ERBs). ERBs are behaviours individuals can perform within private and public ‘spheres’ of their lives. These include personal behaviours that have a direct environmental impact and public facing behaviours such as advocating for systemic change (Stern, 2000). While drops in a vast ocean, ERBs can contribute to collectively addressing climate change. Psychological theory and research indicates ERBs may mutually benefit people and planet. For example, theory suggests engaging in behaviours aligned with one’s deeply held values, threats to which may understandably contribute to distress, may protect against stronger and more impairing distress (Hayes, 2019). Consistent with this, ERBs, and especially socially-orientated ERBs, have been associated with greater wellbeing, while also protecting against stronger and more impairing climate anxiety (Capstick et al., 2022; Schwartz et al., 2023). The research presented here aimed to contribute to the literature concerning the relationship between climate anxiety and ERBs. Firstly, existing literature exploring this relationship was systematically reviewed. Many studies reviewed observed positive associations between climate anxiety and ERBs. However, there were differences across studies and cultures. More significant and impairing climate anxiety was generally less strongly associated with ERBs, suggesting that, while a degree of climate anxiety may motivate ERBs, at a certain level this may be less likely to translate into action. Public, as compared to private, sphere ERBs were further generally more strongly associated with climate anxiety. Furthermore, intentions and willingness to engage in ERBs were generally more strongly associated with climate anxiety than actual behaviours, suggesting people may face barriers in translating intentions and willingness into action. The next piece of research sought to address research needs outlined by the review within a large sample of adults in the United Kingdom. These included; (i) assessing the psychometric properties of a brief measure of climate anxiety, and (ii) further exploring the relationship between climate anxiety and intentions to engage in ERBs, as well as factors which may strengthen or weaken this relationship. Evidence was observed for the validity and reliability of the measure of climate anxiety. Using this measure, positive associations were observed between climate anxiety and ERB intentions, while some differences were noted in relation to individual ERBs. Similarly to previous research, higher and potentially more functionally impairing climate anxiety was less strongly associated with ERB intentions. Public, as compared to private, sphere ERBs were also more strongly associated with climate anxiety. This research further contributes novel findings to the literature. Intentions to engage in ERBs with a relatively ‘high impact’ in addressing climate change, and which may require substantial lifestyle changes, were more strongly associated with climate anxiety as compared to ‘lower impact’ ERBs requiring less substantial changes. This suggests those experiencing climate anxiety may be more motivated to go out of their way to contribute to efforts to address climate change. Higher efficacy beliefs regarding the ability to individually and collectively address climate change were further observed to strengthen the relationship between climate anxiety and ERB intentions, and protect against a reduction in ERB intentions associated with especially high levels of climate anxiety. Contrary to expectations, generalised anxiety – including anxiety not specifically related to climate change – was not observed to influence the relationship between climate anxiety and ERB intentions. These findings may inform existing theory and future research regarding climate anxiety. They may further be of interest to psychologists, who may work with individuals experiencing climate anxiety as well as across various systemic levels to support humanity to adapt to a future in the face of climate change.

Item Type:	Thesis (DClinPsy)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Psychology
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	5 August 2024
Last Modified:	05 Aug 2024 14:51
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/171140

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