The role of psychological capital in shaping climate anxiety across generations

Title

The role of psychological capital in shaping climate anxiety across generations

Creator

Kappan, Elsa; Thiagarajan, Vijayalaya Srinivas

Description

Background: Climate change has transitioned from a distant environmental issue to an immediate psychological reality that profoundly affects how individuals perceive their future and well-being. This study investigates generational differences in climate anxiety and examines the role of psychological capital (PsyCap) as a potential protective resource through the lens of Environmental Identity Theory (EIT). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 384 participants in Kerala, India, comprising Generation X (33.6%), Millennials (29.9%), and Generation Z (36.5%). Climate anxiety was measured using the Climate Anxiety Scale (Clayton & Karazsia, 2020), and PsyCap was assessed through the PCQ-12, encompassing hope, efficacy, resilience, and optimism. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and multiple regression, with effect sizes and confidence intervals reported. Results: Significant generational differences emerged for both cognitiveemotional impairment (F(2,381) = 3.83, p =.023) and functional impairment (F(2,381) = 6.15, p =.002). Gen Z reported significantly higher anxiety levels than Millennials (p =.045, d = ? 0.29*) and Gen X (p =.011, d = ? 0.35*). Regression analyses indicated that PsyCap and generation jointly predicted cognitiveemotional (R = 0.04, p =.008) and functional impairments (R = 0.056, p =.001), with self-efficacy emerging as a significant negatively associated with functional impairment (B = ? 0.12, p =.043). Conclusion: Gen Z experiences greater emotional and functional impacts of climate anxiety compared to older cohorts, while self-efficacy offers a modest buffering effect for functional impairment. These findings underscore the need for interventions that strengthen psychological resources and adaptive coping to mitigate climate-related distress among younger populations. The Author(s) 2026.

Source

Discover public health;Volume;23;Issue;1;Article No.;251;

Date

01-01-2026

Publisher

BioMed Central Ltd

Subject

Climate anxiety; Environmental identity theory; Generational differences; Psychological capital; Resilience; Self-efficacy

Coverage

Kappan E., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India; Thiagarajan V.S., Department of Psychology, CHRIST (Deemed to be University, Karnataka, Bengaluru, India

Rights

All Open Access; Gold Open Access

Relation

ISSN: 30050774;

Format

online

Language

English

Type

Article

Identifier

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12982-026-01580-3

https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105030993046?origin=resultslist