Understanding the Mediating Role of Eco-Anxiety in Promoting Pro-Environmental Behaviors Across Diverse Cultural Worldviews: a preliminary study

Background: Eco-anxiety describes the emotional response to the impacts of climate change, with pro-environmental behaviors serving as an effective coping strategy. However, little is known about how individuals' environmental behaviour is shaped by cultural worldviews and which dimensions of eco-anxiety are most prevalent in this relationship. This preliminary study investigates the mediating role of eco-anxiety in promoting pro-environmental behaviors through the lens of Semiotic-Cultural Psychology Theory. Method: A sample of 404 Italian adults completed a questionnaire made by the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale, self-reported pro-environmental behaviors, and the View of Context questionnaire. Data were analyzed using multiple regression models and interaction analyses with moderators, employing PROCESS for SPSS (v4.2) and SPAD (v5.5). Results: Positive correlations emerged between all dimensions of eco-anxiety and pro-environmental behaviors. A combination of data analysis identified four distinct cultural worldviews and the eco-anxiety dimension “anxiety about personal impact” was a significant mediator across all worldviews, linking eco-anxiety to pro-environmental actions. Conclusions: These findings emphasize the cultural embeddedness of eco-anxiety and its potential to foster sustainable behaviors.The results offer valuable insights for interventions promoting environmental engagement across diverse cultural contexts, such as personalised environmental campaigns, tailored emotional coping programmes, environmental policies that promote a sense of community