Examining the relationships between eco-anxiety, sociodemographic factors, experience of climate events, pro-environmental behaviours, and life satisfaction in young adults

Abstract

Background: Climate change and environmental degradation pose significant threats to ecosystems and humanwell-being, leading to increased eco-anxiety, especially among young adults. Eco-anxiety, characterized by worry andfear about environmental issues, can affect mental health and behaviours. This study aims to explore the relationshipsbetween eco-anxiety, sociodemographic factors, experiences of climate events, pro-environmental behaviours, andlife satisfaction in young adults.Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed to examine the relationships between the variablesmentioned above among young adults. The sample included university students from health science centres in Spain.Surveys were used to gather data on participants’ eco-anxiety levels, sociodemographics, experiences with climateevents, pro-environmental behaviours, and life satisfaction.Results: The study revealed eco-anxiety differences among genders, with female participants experiencing greaterpersonal impact anxiety. However, no differences were found among education or area of upbringing and residence,except that growing up/living in rural areas was associated with more behavioural symptoms of eco-anxiety. Directand indirect experiences with climate events significantly influenced eco-anxiety levels, with direct experienceshaving a stronger effect. Linear regression models showed that different eco-anxiety dimensions had distinctrelationships with pro-environmental behaviours and life satisfaction, with personal impact anxiety increasingpro-environmental behaviours and reduced affective/behavioural symptoms enhancing life satisfaction. Increasedpersonal impact anxiety predicted higher levels of pro-environmental behaviours, whereas decreased affective andbehavioural symptoms of eco-anxiety predicted higher life satisfaction.