ÇEVRE YANLISI NİYET İLE DAVRANIŞ ARASINDAKI İLİŞKİDE İKLİM DEĞİŞİKLİĞİNE YÖNELİK OLUMSUZ DUYGULARIN ARACI ROLÜ_ PLANLANMIŞ DAVRANIŞ KURAMI

Abstract

Identifying the factors influencing pro-environmental behavior is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat the climate crisis. This study aims to examine the mediating role of negative emotions related to climate change (e.g., climate anxiety, ecological grief) with the relationship between pro-environmental intentions and behaviors within the framework of the Theory of Planned Behavior.The research seeks to understand how cognitive processes influencing individuals' pro-environmental behaviors interact with negative emotions to shape these behaviors. As part of the study, the Climate Change Distress and Impairment Scale was adapted into Turkish with validity and reliability assessments conducted. Additionally, a "Theory of Planned Behavior Scale for Carbon Emission Reduction" was developed to specifically target behaviors aimed at reducing carbon emissions. Both scales were found to be valid and reliable. For the main study, 267 volunteer participants with environmental awareness and belief in climate change were recruited. Participants' decisions to reduce their individual carbon emissions were evaluated within the framework of the carbon task. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to investigate the mediating role of climate change distress emotions in the relationship between pro-environmental intentions and behaviors. The findings reveal that an extended model of the Theory of Planned Behavior, with climate change distress, significantly explains pro-environmental behaviors. Additionally, it emphasizes the mediating role of negative emotions in promoting environmental behaviors.