NATURE CONNECTEDNESS AND CLIMATE ANXIETY ON PSYCHOLOGICAL RESILIENCE AMONG YOUNG & MIDDLE ADULTS

Abstract

This study explores the relationships between nature connectedness, climate anxiety, and psychological resilience among young and middle adults. A total of 150 participants (75 young adults aged 18-40 and 75 middle adults aged 40-65) were selected using purposive sampling. Non-parametric tests (Spearman’s rho correlation and Mann-Whitney U test) were employed. The findings indicate no significant relationship between nature connectedness and climate anxiety, suggesting that merely feeling connected to nature does not reduce climate-related distress. Similarly, no significant relationship was observed between psychological resilience and climate anxiety, implying that resilience alone may not sufficiently buffer against climate-related anxiety. However, a significant relationship was found between nature connectedness and psychological resilience, indicating that individuals with a stronger connection to nature tend to exhibit greater emotional resilience. Additionally, middle adults displayed higher levels of nature connectedness, climate anxiety, and psychological resilience compared to young adults, suggesting age-related differences in environmental concerns and coping mechanisms. These findings contribute to environmental psychology by highlighting the importance of fostering resilience and adaptive coping strategies. Future research should incorporate longitudinal designs and diverse populations to better understand protective mechanisms against climate anxiety.