IMPACT OF NEW ECOLOGICAL PARADIGM ON ECOLOGICAL ANXIETY AND ECOLOGICAL GRIEF. MEDIATING ROLE OF CLIMATE CHANGE WORRY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between environmental beliefs, as assessed using the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), and ecological anxiety and ecological grief in young adults, with climate change worry serving as a possible mediator. A correlational research design was employed. The convenient sample of 400 participants aged between 18 and 40 years was drawn.   The new ecological paradigm scale, the ecological grief scale, the Hogo-Eco Anxiety Scale, and the Climate Change Worry Scale were used to measure the study variables. The results of correlational analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between the ecological paradigm and ecological grief, ecological anxiety, and climate change worry. Regarding the effect of NEP, dealing with climate change worries partially mediated the connection between NEP and ecological anxiety, but not with ecological grief, as indicated by mediation analysis. These findings highlight the psychological stress that can be experienced with the rise of environmental awareness among young adults, underscoring the need for climate-related mental support interventions, as well as sustainability education.

Keywords. New Ecological Paradigm, climate change worry, ecological anxiety, ecological grief, environmental attitudes, and young adults.