Empowering societal resilience by uncovering the mechanism of the link between ecological anxiety and environmentally friendly consumption

Abstract

The aim of this study is to empower societal resilience by uncovering the mechanism behind the link between ecological anxiety and environmentally friendly consumption. To achieve this goal, two samples are planned: a representative sample of the Lithuanian population and a convenience sample of young adults (18-29 years old). In the representative sample of the Lithuanian population, we aim to investigate the prevalence and expression of environmental anxiety in Lithuania. In a sample of young adults, we will analyse the mechanisms through which ecological anxiety (de)motivates behaviours aimed at mitigating the ecological crisis, such as environmentally friendly consumption. We will analyse the links between personal (e.g. values, resilience, coping strategies), interpersonal (e.g. social norms, support) and economic and demographic (e.g. gender, age, financial status) factors with ecological anxiety and environmentally friendly consumption. The analysis of these factors will help to shed light on the mechanisms by which environmental anxiety manifests itself and how it (de)motivates environmentally friendly consumption. The study will provide unique insights relevant to the Lithuanian context. Knowledge on the relationship between ecological anxiety and environmentally friendly consumption is needed because consumption is the most easily achievable environmentally friendly behavioural practice that can be easily changed by interventions, but this relationship has not been systematically explored either in Lithuania or worldwide. This knowledge will contribute to the formulation of recommendations for interventions to increase societal resilience for policy makers, mental health professionals, the public and other stakeholders.