Hope for the Future: Associations Between Eco‐Anxiety, Pro‐Environmental Behaviors, and Hope Among Young Adults in Türkiye

Aim This study examined the associations between eco‐anxiety, pro‐environmental behaviors, and hope related to climate change among young adults. Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted between June and August 2025 with 520 young adults in Türkiye. Data were collected using an Information Form, the Eco‐Anxiety Scale, the Environmental Behavior Scale (EBS), and the Climate Change Hope Scale (CCHS). Correlation and mediation analyses (PROCESS Model 4) were conducted. Results A very weak but statistically significant positive association was found between eco‐anxiety and total EBS scores ( r = 0.199, p < 0.001). No significant association was observed between eco‐anxiety and total CCHS scores ( r = 0.018, p > 0.05). A very weak but statistically significant negative association was identified between total CCHS and EBS scores ( r = ‐0.217, p < 0.001). Mediation analysis showed that the association between eco‐anxiety and hope was fully mediated by pro‐environmental behaviors, explaining 8.9% of the variance ( R 2 = 0.089, p < 0.001). Conclusion Eco‐anxiety was associated with greater engagement in pro‐environmental behaviors, while higher levels of pro‐environmental behaviors were associated with lower levels of hope. Psychiatric and mental health nurses may support young adults’ resilience through brief, hope‐focused and psychoeducational interventions addressing climate‐related distress.