Coping with Climate Change: Correlates of Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping in Young People

Background Climate anxiety is a rational response to climate change that can impact wellbeing, particularly for young people. As the climate crisis unfolds, promoting psychological resilience and adaptive coping will help young people to maintain health and wellbeing long-term. This study examined the correlates of adaptive and maladaptive forms of coping in young people. Methods A sample of Australian young people aged 12–25 years ( N = 741, M age = 18.5 years) were recruited via social media and panel sampling. Young people completed an online questionnaire comprised of the Climate Coping Scale (CCS), comprising Adaptive Coping (meaning-focused coping, emotion-focused coping, and problem-focused coping) and the Maladaptive Coping (impaired regulation, distancing and de-emphasising). Hypothesised correlates (ie, affective symptoms of climate distress, agency, pro-environmental behaviour, efficacy beliefs, autonomy, and perceived social support) were also measured. Results Young people who experienced affective symptoms of climate distress were more likely to engage in adaptive styles of coping (meaning-focused, emotion-focused, and problem-focused coping; β = .37, .37, .64, respectively), and were less likely to employ maladaptive coping styles (de-emphasise or distance themselves from climate change; β = −.24, −.45, respectively), or experience impaired regulation (β = −.77). Pro-environmental behaviour was associated with greater use of adaptive coping styles (meaning-focused, emotion-focused, and problem-focused coping; β = .15, .16, .25, respectively), but also greater de-emphasising the threats of climate change (β = .11). Those who felt more socially supported were more likely to use meaning-focused and emotion-focused coping (β = .10, .14, respectively). Efficacy beliefs, agency and autonomy were related to coping in diverse ways. Conclusion Affective symptoms of climate distress are related to more helpful forms of coping and less maladaptive coping. Rather than focus on reducing affective symptoms, it may be best to validate emotional experiences and support individuals to engage in adaptive coping. Interventions that focus on increasing agency and autonomy should be delivered with care, by taking into account a young person's coping skills and resources. Overall, these findings provide evidence on what can support adaptive coping and psychological resilience in the face of climate change.