Eco-Anxiety and Psychological Experience

Abstract

In past research, nature connectedness has been associated with higher levels of psychological health (Howell, Dopko, Passmore, & Buro, 2011), and meaning in life (Howell, Passmore, & Buro, 2013). Eco-anxiety, or the experience of anxiety in relation to global climate change, has not been studied previously in relation to nature connectedness, meaning in life, or psychological well-being. Moreover, no prior research has examined implicit theories of environmentally responsible behaviour (ERB); that is, fixed and growth mindsets regarding one’s ability to engage in ERB. In an ongoing study with undergraduate participants, we hypothesized that nature connectedness and fixed mindsets regarding ERB would predict eco-anxiety which, in turn, would predict low meaning in life and low well-being. Results showed a strong positive correlation between eco-anxiety and total nature connectedness. When correlated with the nature connectedness subscales, eco-anxiety was significantly associated with the self and perspective subscales, but not the experience subscale. In addition, eco-anxiety did not significantly correlate with the remaining variables. Implications of the findings are discussed.

Faculty Mentor: Andrew Howell

Department: Psychology