Climate Anxiety, Pro-Environmental Behaviour, and Climate Emergency Coping Strategies in Residents of Delhi NCR: A Quantitative Study

Abstract

Climate change has significant psychological implications, particularly among young adults, with eco-anxiety increasingly linked to environmental engagement. The present study examined the relationships between climate anxiety, environmental coping strategies, and pro-environmental behaviours, and assessed the predictive role of climate anxiety and coping strategies. Using a cross-sectional design, data were collected from 202 young adults through self-report measures assessing cognitive and functional impairment related to climate anxiety, coping strategies, and multiple domains of pro-environmental behaviour. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, correlation analyses and multivariate regression. Results indicated that cognitive impairment and adaptive coping strategies—particularly individual functional and social functioning coping—were significant predictors of pro-environmental behaviours across domains. Functional impairment and dysfunctional coping demonstrated weaker and domain-specific effects. No significant demographic differences were observed across gender, employment status, or educational qualification. The findings suggest that cognitive engagement with climate change may serve as a constructive motivator for environmental action when supported by adaptive coping strategies. The study highlights the importance of strengthening coping processes to promote both psychological well-being and sustained pro-environmental behaviour.