Preprint
Trait Anxiety Predicts Pro-Environmental Values and Climate Change Action
Social Science Research Network (SSRN), Vol.18 September 2022
Elsevier
2022
Abstract
Individuals vary greatly with respect to how much value they place on the environment. These differences, in turn, are associated with a host of pro environmental behaviours, including the willingness to engage in actions intended to mitigate the impacts of climate change. As it is becoming increasingly urgent to promote individuals to engage in climate mitigation behaviours, there is considerable interest in understanding the socio demographic and psychological predictors of pro environmental values. One factor that may associate with differences in pro environmental behaviours and attitudes is personality; however, the literature is decidedly mixed. Thus, the primary purpose of the current study was to examine whether personality, as assessed by the HEXACO PI, is associated with variations in pro environmental values and climate change actions. Participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed a) personality (as measure by the HEXACO PI), b) environmental values (as measured by the New Ecological Paradigm; NEP), and c) whether they had changed their actions due to climate change considerations and the degree to which climate change had impacted their actions. Gender, political affiliation, and the anxiety sub facet of emotionality emerged as the strongest predictors of pro environmental attitudes. In addition, the strongest predictors of climate change action were anxiety, inquisitiveness, and sociability. Interestingly, anxiety mediated the relationship between environmental values and climate action, such that individuals higher in both environmental values and trait anxiety were more likely to engage in climate actions. This study has implications for promoting engagement in pro environmental behaviours and actions designed to mitigate the threats of climate change.
Details
- Title
- Trait Anxiety Predicts Pro-Environmental Values and Climate Change Action
- Authors
- Gary Pickering (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research ClusterGillian Dale (Author) - Brock University
- Publication details
- Social Science Research Network (SSRN), Vol.18 September 2022
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Date published
- 2022
- DOI
- 10.2139/ssrn.4218553
- ISSN
- 1556-5068
- Organisation Unit
- Sustainability Research Cluster
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99706098702621
- Output Type
- Preprint
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