Three ways to cope with ecological stress: development and validation of a scale and exploration of its links with eco-anxiety

Studies on psychological adaptation to ecological stress are still relatively rare, despite its crucial importance for both individual well-being and the future of the planet. On the basis of a preliminary qualitative study (Study 1), we developed and validated a scale to measure coping strategies in response to ecological stress (Study 2). We then used this scale to study how people coped with stress depending on their level of eco-anxiety, and carried out a network analysis to determine whether individuals used certain combinations of strategies (Study 3). The scale includes 26 items divided into ten subscales corresponding to distinct coping strategies. The most eco-anxious individuals made greater use of most coping strategies, with the exception of denial, positive reappraisal and humor. A cluster analysis revealed three distinct combinations of strategies, the first characterized by rumination and self-blame, the second on problem-solving, social support and meaning-seeking, and the last on denial and positive reappraisal. This research provides a valuable scale for exploring the factors influencing how individuals cope with environmental stress. By targeting certain “pivotal” strategies, virtuous circles could be set in motion, fostering both behavioral commitment to the environment and well-being. • A new scale was developed to assess coping strategies related to environmental stress. • Ten coping dimensions were identified through qualitative and psychometric analyses. • Eco-anxiety was associated with three distinct schemes of coping strategy co-occurrence, identified via network and cluster analysis. • Strategies like self-blame and avoidance were associated with higher levels of eco-anxiety. • The scale provides a valuable tool to study psychological responses to the ecological crisis.