University of Twente Student Theses
Exploring the Relationships Between Eco-Anxiety, Eco-Guilt, Eco-Grief, and Pro-Environmental Behavior : A Cross-Sectional Study
Petkovski, C.M. (2024) Exploring the Relationships Between Eco-Anxiety, Eco-Guilt, Eco-Grief, and Pro-Environmental Behavior : A Cross-Sectional Study.
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| Full Text Status: | Access to this publication is restricted |
| Embargo date: | 23 January 2027 |
| Abstract: | The experience of emotions caused by climate change, such as eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, and eco-grief, is increasingly receiving attention in recent research. While these so-called eco-emotions have individually been linked to pro-environmental behavior (PEB), no prior studies have jointly investigated these variables. Therefore, this study examined the relationship between eco-anxiety and PEB, with eco-guilt and eco-grief as mediators and age, gender, and proximity to water as moderators. Cross-sectional data (n = 311) were collected using an online questionnaire that contained the Eco-Anxiety Questionnaire, Eco-Guilt Questionnaire, Ecological Grief Questionnaire, and Pro-Environmental Behavior Scale. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlations, linear regression, and PROCESS Macro models 4, 7, and 15. Results showed significant positive correlations between all three eco-emotions and PEB. Additionally, linear regression indicated a positive relationship between eco-anxiety and PEB. Eco-guilt mediated this association, while eco-grief did not. As the indirect effect of eco-guilt on PEB reversed to a negative sign in the mediation model, eco-guilt may be a confounding variable. Only age moderated the pathway from eco-anxiety to eco-guilt; no moderation effects were found for gender or proximity to water. This research provides preliminary evidence of the complex relationships between eco-anxiety, eco-guilt, eco-grief, and PEB. The findings highlight the relevance of developing educational programs to inform about eco-emotions and potential coping strategies while promoting PEB. Future studies with larger and more diverse samples are necessary to confirm the validity of the outcomes and explore which groups of individuals may be more vulnerable to experiencing higher levels of eco-emotions. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Psychology MSc (66604) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/104659 |
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