The Role of Eco-Guilt on Pro-Environmental Behaviour and the Moderating Effect of Education in German and Dutch Populations : A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Climate change presents a complex challenge, that calls for individual and collective action. Emotional responses to climate change, such as eco-guilt, not only impact individuals’ mental well-being but can also motivate adopting eco-friendly behaviours. To understand the factors that influence individuals to engage in pro-environmental behaviour when experiencing eco-guilt, the present research investigates the impact of educational attainment on this relationship, focusing on the German and Dutch populations. Methods: Through a cross-sectional online study, the Eco-Guilt Questionnaire (EGuiQ-11) and the Pro-Environmental Behaviour Scale (PEBS) were employed to measure eco-guilt and pro-environmental behaviour, respectively. Results: Based on data from 232 participants, the analysis reveals a significant positive correlation between eco-guilt and pro-environmental behaviour (r= .326, p< .001), indicating that higher levels of eco-guilt are associated with greater engagement in pro-environmental behaviour. Furthermore, a moderation analysis showed that educational attainment did not significantly moderate the relationship between eco-guilt and pro-environmental behaviour (all p-values > .05). Conclusion: This study found that eco-guilt correlates positively with pro-environmental behaviour. While educational attainment did not influence this relationship, further research is needed to confirm the findings and explore additional factors contributing to eco-guilt variations and its impact on pro-environmental behaviour.