Coping With Global Environmental Problems

Abstract

How do people cope with global environmental problems? This article reports on the development and initial validation of a set of scales that measure coping with global environmental problems (e.g., climate change). Lazarus' coping approach formed the theoretical basis for the development of the scales. Altogether, eight scales were developed: problem solving, expressive coping, denial of guilt, relativization, wishful thinking, self-protection, pleasure, and resignation. In three studies (N = 265; 275; 225) the scales and the scale structure were replicated (Cronbach's α: .63 to .90). A two-dimensional metastructure of the scales was supported by the data (problem-focused coping vs. deproblematization-focused coping). Furthermore, correlations (coping with stress and proenvironmental behavior) and hypothesized group differences in coping found empirical support. Thus, the scales can be used for research projects as well as for the preparation and evaluation of interventions to alleviate environmental stress and to foster proenvironmental behavior.

Young People’s Coping Strategies Concerning Climate Change: Relations to Perceived Communication With Parents and Friends and Proenvironmental Behavior

“…In recent years, researchers have argued that the manner in which people cope with the climate-change problem may be important for environmental engagement as well as for psychological well-being (Bloodhart, Swim, & Zawadzki, 2013; & Stolberg, 2006; Homburg et al, 2007; Reser & Swim, 2011; Swim et al, 2009). Still, empirical studies about how various coping strategies relate to proenvironmental behavior are rare, particularly studies focusing on younger age groups.…”

What Shapes Public Reactions to Climate Change? Overview of Research and Policy Implications

“…When people become very fearful, they may react by denying that the threat is real and/or by avoiding thoughts about the subject (e.g., Rippetoe & Rogers, 1987). When strong feelings of guilt are aroused, people may react with resentment of the communicator, denial of responsibility, and negative behavior (Homberg et al, 2007).…”

“…Consistent with the assertions of Weber (2006), studies in Germany have related people's behavior to their emotions about global environmental changes. The stronger the respondents' emotions (anger and sadness) about changes in the environment, the more likely they were to practice a variety of pro‐environmental behaviors, e.g., in transportation, energy and water consumption, and conservation in the workplace (Homberg et al, 2007; Kals, Schmucher, & Montada, 1999).…”

“…Personal benefits also shaped behavior. Researchers in Germany found that those people who are most concerned about their personal health were most likely to take a variety of actions that help to maintain a healthy environment (Homberg, Stolberg, & Wagner, 2007). Buyers of hybrid cars in the United States attributed their “green” choices primarily to one of several positive incentives, including a waiver on sales tax and saving money on gas (Gallagher & Muehlegger, 2008).…”

Scale Development for Environmental Perception of Public Space

“…Environmental attitude is a broad category of people's attitudes and beliefs related to their willingness and intention to take environmental actions, support for conservation interventions or policies, belief in environmental threats, etc. (Homburg et al, 2007;Milfont and Duckitt, 2010;Li and Monroe, 2018;Walton and Jones, 2018;Cakmak, 2020). Ecological behavior refers to actual behaviors such as energy conservation, waste avoidance, education in environmental issues, etc.…”