An investigation of the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and ecological anxiety and the mediating role of stress appraisal and coping

Recent studies reveal that more people are experiencing ecological anxiety. However, the common mechanisms influencing the emergence of ecological anxiety remain unclear. The present study examined the mediating roles of stress appraisal and coping styles in the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and ecological anxiety. The study sample consisted of 514 participants, including 362 women (70.42%) and 152 men (29.58%). Data were collected using the Demographic Information Form, Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale, Stress Appraisal Measure, Coping Style Scale, Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale, and the Two-Dimensional Social Desirability Scale. To test the proposed model, structural equation modeling was applied. The findings suggest a relationship between ecological anxiety and intolerance of uncertainty, threat appraisal, uncontrollable-by-anyone appraisal, and emotion-focused coping style. Considering the lack of a robust theoretical framework in the current ecological anxiety literature, the present study is expected to contribute meaningfully to the field. Furthermore, identifying the common mechanisms underlying ecological anxiety may inform the development of psychological intervention programs, thereby offering valuable insights for clinical practice. The findings are discussed within the framework of existing literature.