The aim of this online study is the evaluation of planetary health behaviors in relationto levels of eco-anxiety, general well-being, and levels of loneliness. As climate changeprogresses at a dangerous rate, it is important to establish and maintain lifestyles thatare productive, fulfilling, environmentally conscious, and low in anxiety. Through abetter understanding of the interconnected nature of planetary health behaviors withother aspects of healthy living and perception of social isolation, this study will addto current state of science to help inform the creation of interventions promotingsustainable, healthy, happy living among the general public and specific subgroups.
The aim of this online study is the evaluation of healthy behaviors and anxiety levels in
relation to selected physical, mental, and environmental health aspects. The umbrella
terminology of "planetary health" is used in the context of this study. As climate change
progresses at a dangerous rate, it is important to establish and maintain lifestyles that
are productive, fulfilling, environmentally conscious, and low in anxiety. By evaluating
prevalence of healthy behaviors and levels of eco-anxiety as well as loneliness as one
early indicator of health risk, this study hopes to build on existing public health
knowledge to develop interventions targeting and encouraging multiple aspects of healthy,
eco-friendly lifestyles. This study will also help later intervention design by
determining effective methods of persuasion and promotion of sustainable planetary health
behaviors. Main research questions are
I. Are climate-sensitive people and rehabilitation patients (in terms of EMCB, YCSCB and
Mindful Health) more likely to also promote their own health (in terms of physical
activity and healthy nutrition)? II. What is the (non-)linear relationship between
eco-anxiety and climate-sensitiveness/health behavior? III. Is climate-sensitiveness and
eco-anxiety invariant to partner status, number of people in the household, gender,
occupation, and age? (No differences) IV. Is loneliness linked to partner status, number
of people in the household and younger age but uncorrelated to eco-anxiety,
climate-sensitiveness/health behavior? V. What is the prevalence of loneliness in 2023 in
comparison to 2022, 2021, 2020, and 2019? Do people and rehabilitation patients who feel
more lonely after the corona pandemic than before show more eco-anxiety and
climate-sensitiveness but less healthy behavior than people who feel as/less lonely than
prior to the corona pandemic? VI. Is active persuasion involving mental simulation more
effective in promoting eco-friendly behaviours than passive persuasion involving
information dissemination as measured by the YCSCB and EMCB? (testing two mini
interventions) VII. To what extent are medical rehabilitation patients different from the
general population?
Behavioral: Prompting open-ended question promoting sustainability
This intervention will include active persuasion through prompting participants to answer
an open-ended question regarding how they will alter their behavior to become more
sustainable and eco-friendly.
Behavioral: Sustainability Passage
This intervention will include passive persuasion through presenting participants with a
passage discussing the serious issue of climate change and the pressing need for systemic
and individual change to adopt sustainable practices and lifestyles.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Ability to participate in surveys (e.g., sufficient German or English language
skills)
Exclusion Criteria:
- Not being of age
- Illiteracy
- Massively limited cognitive abilities (linguistic components of the digital
offerings must be able to be used and questionnaires completed or interviews
participated in)
Germany
Bremen 2944388, Germany
Sonia Lippke, Dr., Principal Investigator
Constructor University