Exploring the relationship among environmental identity, eco-emotions, perceived nature restorativeness, and psychological adaptation to climate change

The climate crisis profoundly impacts individuals’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional responses, threatening well-being and undermining efforts toward climate adaptation. Psychological insights are therefore crucial for the design of effective policies and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The present study investigates the psychological processes involved in coping with climate-related threats and examines the interrelationships among environmental identity, eco-emotions, perceived nature restorativeness, and psychological adaptation to climate change. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Greece resulting in a sample of 552 participants. Statistical analyses were performed using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), complemented by reliability and validity assessments. Results indicated that eco-emotions significantly influence psychological adaptation to climate change; environmental identity impacts eco-emotions and perceived restorativeness of nature, as well as directly affecting psychological adaptation; and perceived restorativeness of nature influences eco-emotions. These findings underscore the importance of fostering environmental identity and promoting restorative nature experiences as pathways to enhance psychological adaptation to climate change, offering actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners addressing climate resilience.