The role of self-efficacy and emotional stability in the relationship between climate anxiety and well-being in young adults

Introduction andObjective.In recent years there has been an increase in public interest in the dangers posed by the deteriorating state of our planet.Climate change has caused climate anxiety among the population which also affects their mental state.The study investigates the relationship between emotional stability, self-efficacy, and climate anxiety in relation to psychological well-being (PWB).It explores the mediating effect of environmental activism attitudes between environmental value and climate anxiety. Materials and Method.A survey questionnaire including measures of variables was used to collect quantitative data from a sample of 638 young adults (aged 18-30).The measures included the General Self-Efficacy Scale, Climate Anxiety Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale, International Personality Item Pool -Big Five Measure-20, and Environmental Activism Scale.A structural equation model with partial least squares (SEM-PLS) approach was used to assess the reliability and validity of the constructs.Results.This study highlights the predictors of climate anxiety and its negative effect on subjective well-being.The SEM-PLS analysis confirmed that environmental activism and values significantly contribute to climate anxiety.Moreover, selfefficacy mediates the relationship between climate anxiety and PWB.Conclusions.This article presents the antecedents and outcomes of climate anxiety, pointing out the importance of various personality and environmental factors for an individual's psychological well-being.Furthermore, the findings of the study demonstrate that high self-efficacy can significantly alleviate symptoms of climate anxiety and its meaning effect on psychological well-being.