Climate Change Anxiety and Psychological Well-being among Emerging Adults

Description

Joanna Selven and Sujata Bhau (MIE-SPPU Institute of Higher Education (Savitribai Phule Pune University), Doha-Qatar)

Climate change anxiety, a pervasive sense of dread and concern about the future of the planet has emerged as a significant psychological phenomenon among emerging adults whose lives and future are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While research indicates that moderate levels of climate change anxiety can serve an adaptive function, severe anxiety may impair psychological well-being and daily functioning. The current study aims to provide an understanding of how climate change anxiety manifests among emerging adults, its emotional, cognitive, and behavioral impacts. Further, the study analyzes the relationship between climate change anxiety and psychological well-being, highlighting both its detrimental effects and its potential to be adaptive. It also identifies certain psychological factors such as psychological distance, defense mechanisms, green self-efficacy, and pre-existing psychopathology as potential moderators and mediators affecting the association between climate change anxiety and psychological well-being. Lastly, the focus has been on evaluating a range of coping strategies that may act as a buffer against the negative impacts of climate change anxiety and enhance psychological well-being. Overall, this research article aims to create awareness and promote psychosocial interventions to implore concerns experienced by emerging adults.