Pro-Environmental Behavior: Its Moderating Role on the Relationship Between Environmental Identity and Climate Change Anxiety among Gen Z Filipinos

Authors

Marc Eric S. Reyes, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines; Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, PhilippinesFollow
Alvin Joseph D. Mapoy, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, PhilippinesFollow
Victoria Ann Louis N. Aranzanso, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines
Francheska Ysabel A. Avera, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines
Beatrice O. Martinez, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines
Mariah Michaela T. Ramos, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines
Ryan Francis O. Cayubit, Department of Psychology, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines; Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, PhilippinesFollow

Abstract

Environmental identity refers to an individual’s understanding of how their environment shapes their identity and relationships. This connection may cause climate change anxiety and motivate pro-environmental behavior. Using an explanatory, cross-sectional design, we examined whether environmental identity (EI) predicts climate change anxiety (CCA) and whether pro-environmental behavior (PEB) moderates their relationship. Seven hundred sixty-one Filipinos aged 18–25 completed the Revised Environmental Identity Scale, Climate Change Anxiety Scale, and Pro-Environmental Behavior Scale. Our findings revealed a significant positive relationship between environmental identity and anxiety about climate change. However, moderation analysis indicated that environmental identity is only associated with climate change anxiety among participants with high pro-environmental behavior. Thus, Gen Z Filipinos who connect more with nature (high EI) experience greater anxiety (high CCA) only for those who actively engage in PEB. This study discusses the practical and theoretical implications of the findings.

Bahasa Abstract

Identitas lingkungan merujuk pada pemahaman individu mengenai bagaimana lingkungan membentuk hubungan dan identitas mereka. Keterkaitan ini dapat menimbulkan kecemasan perubahan iklim dan memotivasi perilaku pro-lingkungan. Kami menguji apakah identitas lingkungan (EI) dapat memprediksi kecemasan perubahan iklim (CCA) dan apakah perilaku pro-lingkungan (PEB) memoderasi hubungan tersebut menggunakan desain cross-sectional eksplanatori. Tujuh ratus enam puluh satu orang Filipina berusia 18-25 tahun mengisi Skala Revisi Identitas Lingkungan, Skala Kecemasan Perubahan Iklim dan Skala Perilaku Pro-Lingkungan. Hasil temuan menunjukkan bahwa ada hubungan positif yang signifikan antara identitas lingkungan dan kecemasan perubahan iklim. Namun, analisis moderasi mengindikasikan bahwa identitas lingkungan hanya terasosiasi dengan kecemasan perubahan iklim pada partisipan dengan skor perilaku pro-lingkungan yang tinggi. Dengan demikian, gen Z Filipina yang lebih terhubung dengan alam (skor EI tinggi) mengalami kecemasan yang lebih tinggi pula (skor CCA tinggi) hanya ditemukan pada partisipan yang secara aktif terlibat dalam perilaku pro-lingkungan (skor PEB tinggi). Studi ini membahas implikasi praktis dan teoritis dari temuan tersebut.

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Recommended Citation

Reyes, M. S., Mapoy, A. D., Aranzanso, V. N., Avera, F. A., Martinez, B. O., Ramos, M. T., & Cayubit, R. O. (2026). Pro-Environmental Behavior: Its Moderating Role on the Relationship Between Environmental Identity and Climate Change Anxiety among Gen Z Filipinos. Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia, 30(1), 56-68. https://doi.org/10.7454/hubs.asia.v30.i1.1613