The effect of eco-anxiety on pro-environmental behaviors and mental well-being: a parallel mediation model

This study focuses on the concept of eco-anxiety and examines its effect on mental well-being through pro-environmental behaviors. In this context, green buying, recycling, and low-carbon behaviors were specifically chosen as pro-environmental actions because they represent the most common everyday practices individuals adopt to reduce environmental impact. Previous research has generally examined pro-environmental actions separately; however, to the best of our knowledge, no study has investigated these behaviors together or simultaneously tested their parallel mediating roles. By addressing this gap, the present study aims to provide a more comprehensive explanation of the relationship between eco-anxiety and mental well-being.

The research was conducted using data collected through convenience sampling from 401 participants in a province in Turkey (51.1% female, 48.9% male; Generation X = 9.5%, Y = 49.4%, Z = 41.1%). While this approach ensured adequate sample size, it limits the generalizability of the findings. Data analyses were carried out using SPSS, AMOS, and the PROCESS macro software.

The findings indicate that eco-anxiety had a significant negative effect on mental well-being, while it had significant positive effects on green buying behavior, recycling behavior, and low-carbon behavior. Furthermore, pro-environmental behaviors were found to have a significant positive effect on mental well-being. Finally, the analysis revealed that pro-environmental behaviors served as parallel mediators in the relationship between eco-anxiety and mental well-being.

These results suggest that, although eco-anxiety is typically seen as a negative emotional response, it may also motivate positive pro-environmental behaviors, which in turn contribute to improved mental well-being.