Climate Change Anxiety and Pro-Environmental Behaviour: Examining Dual Pathways Through Eco-Paralysis, Self-Efficacy, and Nature Relatedness

This study examined relationships between climate change anxiety, eco-paralysis, pro-environmental behaviour, nature relatedness, self-efficacy, and mental distress among Indian adults (N=153) using a cross-sectional correlational design. Climate change anxiety significantly predicted both eco-paralysis and pro-environmental behaviour, suggesting it functions as a dual motivational and paralytic force. Nature relatedness and self-efficacy were independent direct predictors of pro-environmental behaviour. Mental distress was associated with pro-environmental behaviour indirectly through climate change anxiety, supporting full mediation, while predicting eco-paralysis directly. Hypothesised mediating roles of eco-paralysis and self-efficacy were unsupported. Notably, eco-paralysis and environmental engagement were not significantly associated, suggesting they may co-occur without opposing each other. Findings suggest that environmental engagement may be sustained independently of individual efficacy in this sample, potentially reflecting the influence of collective norms and habitual behaviours in Indian contexts. Implications for climate communication and psychoeducation are discussed.