Anna Enrica Tosti

Given the growing impact of the climate crisis on mental health, it is necessary to explore the domain of eco-emotions, the affective responses to environmental change. In keeping with this, the present exploratory study aimed to investigate the association between Digital Life Balance (DLB) and eco-emotions, while also examining whether Readiness to Change (RtC) dimensions were involved in possible indirect associations within exploratory cross-sectional statistical mediation models. Data were collected through the use of an anonymous online survey, and the final sample consisted of 257 participants (59.9% cisgender women; 39.3% cisgender men; 0.8% people belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community; mean age = 32.99, SD = 14.640). From a methodological perspective, correlation analysis, MANOVA and exploratory cross-sectional statistical mediation models were performed. The results showed small positive correlations between DLB and eco-emotions in terms of anger, isolation, anxiety, and sorrow. Exploratory statistical mediation models suggested possible uncorrected indirect associations involving perceived importance of the environmental problem (PI; RtC). However, these specific indirect associations did not remain significant after Benjamini–Hochberg correction for multiple testing. Accordingly, the findings should be interpreted as small, preliminary, unadjusted cross-sectional associations between subjective online–offline balance, selected eco-emotions, and sustainability-related psychological readiness. In conclusion, this work provides an initial basis for future longitudinal and covariate-adjusted studies examining how subjective digital–offline balance may be linked to eco-emotional experiences and sustainability-related psychological readiness.

The growing negative consequences of climate change support the need to deepen and investigate factors that may sustain the engagement of pro-environmental behaviors. In this scenario, eco-emotions represent a key factor that can potentially shape sustainable behaviors. In keeping with this, the present study aimed at observing the potential relationships between eco-emotions and readiness to change (RTC), namely a psychological construct closely related to pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically the RTC dimensions were the following: perceived importance of the problem, motivation, self-efficacy, effectiveness of the proposed solution, social support, action, and perceived readiness. In detail, Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) were performed in order to detect both linear and non-linear associations between eco-emotions and the dimensions of RTC by assuming a complex perspective. The final sample was composed of 252 participants (mean age = 32.99, SD = 14.640). The results pointed out several significant associations (both linear and non-linear) between eco-emotions and the RTC dimensions. In detail, the perceived importance of the problem was linearly associated with anger and anxiety, while sorrow and enthusiasm showed non-linear effects. Furthermore, motivation was linearly linked to anger and guilt and non-linearly to contempt, enthusiasm, and sorrow. In terms of self-efficacy, anger, enthusiasm, and sorrow showed linear relationships, whereas isolation showed a non-linear association. Perceived effectiveness of the proposed solution was linearly related to enthusiasm and sorrow and non-linearly to anger, powerlessness, isolation, and anxiety. Similarly, social support was linearly connected with enthusiasm, isolation, and sorrow, and non-linearly with powerlessness and anxiety. Moreover, action was primarily driven by anger in a linear relationship, while enthusiasm, powerlessness, guilt, and anxiety showed non-linear associations. Finally, perceived readiness was linearly related to anxiety and non-linearly to anger, contempt, enthusiasm, powerlessness, guilt, and sorrow. These findings should be interpreted in light of the study’s limitations, including its cross-sectional nature, reliance on self-reported measures, use of snowball sampling, and sample demographic characteristics, all of which may affect the generalizability of the results. Nevertheless, the results pointed out the presence of several significant linear (e.g., anxiety and the perceived importance of the problem) and non-linear (e.g., contempt and motivation) associations between various eco-emotions and RTC factors. The findings underscore the need for a complex approach to this field of research, suggesting that further studies, policies, and environmental awareness programs should consider the multifaceted nature of these phenomena in order to develop effective and valuable interventions.

In the contemporary digital era, the extensive integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) has significantly changed offline activities, including communication, shopping, and media consumption. This integration has been accelerated by the COVID‐19 pandemic, leading to increased reliance on ICT for work, education, socializing, and accessing essential services. Consequently, there is growing concern about the impact of ICT on well‐being, particularly regarding psychological and financial health, as well as the association with psychiatric disorders. This study is aimed at exploring the psychometric properties of two scales adapted for the Brazilian context: the Digital Life Balance (DLB) scale and the Need for Online Social Feedback (NfOSF) scale. These scales measure individuals’ perceived balance between online and offline activities and their need for social validation online, respectively. Using a sample of 220 Brazilian individuals (50.9% female, 43.6% male, mean age = 34.96 years, SD = 11.32), we conducted confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the scales’ factor structures and test the reliability and validity of the two measures. The results demonstrated good fit indices and reliable internal consistency for both scales. Additionally, metric invariance between Brazilian and Italian samples was established, supporting cross‐cultural applicability. External validity was examined through correlations with time spent on social media and the perceived importance of followers. Findings indicate that higher DLB is associated with less time spent online, while greater NfOSF correlates with higher importance placed on social media followers. These insights highlight the importance of understanding digital balance and the role of social feedback in ICT use, contributing to the effective screening of potential dysfunctional ICT use in Brazil. As a result of this study, validated Brazilian versions of the NfOSF and DLB scales were successfully obtained, offering valuable tools for assessing DLB and the NfOSF in the Brazilian context.