“Bringing Children in a Burning World?” The Role of Climate Anxiety and Threat Perceptions in Childbearing Motivations of Emerging Adults in Switzerland

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Ressource 1Download: Zimmermann, et al. (2024-bringing-children-in-a-burning-world).pdf (694.40 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Author's accepted manuscript
License: CC BY 4.0
Secondary document(s)
Download: Zimmermann, et al. (2024-bringing-children-in-a-burning-world).pdf (702.00 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
License: Not specified
Serval ID
serval:BIB_E29D0F76C437
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
“Bringing Children in a Burning World?” The Role of Climate Anxiety and Threat Perceptions in Childbearing Motivations of Emerging Adults in Switzerland
Journal
Emerging Adulthood
Author(s)
Zimmermann Grégoire, Darwiche Joëlle, Messerli-Bürgy Nadine, Van Petegem Stijn, Mouton Bénédicte, Venard Gaëlle, Antonietti Jean-Philippe
ISSN
2167-6968
2167-6984
Publication state
Published
Issued date
10/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
12
Number
5
Pages
925-938
Language
english
Abstract
This research investigates the relation between climate anxiety, threat perceptions for future generations, and childbearing motivations in childless emerging adults. Using a sample of 1211 Swiss college students aged 18-25, the study explores if threat perceptions mediate the relationship between climate anxiety and childbearing motivations. Results from structural equation modeling (SEM) indicated that climate anxiety significantly predicted greater perceptions of threat, which in turn related to less positive childbearing motivations and more negative childbearing motivations. Specifically, the relationship between climate anxiety and childbearing motivations was partly to fully explained by threat perceptions, suggesting that worries about the future environment could be an important factor in emerging adults' complex reproductive considerations. No gender moderation was found. These findings underscore the need for policy interventions that provide psychological support and targeted educational resources to assist young adults in navigating the complex interplay between climate anxiety, threat perceptions, and their decisions regarding childbearing.
Keywords
Climate anxiety, Childbearing motivations, Emerging adults, Future threat perceptions, Parenthood
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
09/05/2023 17:24
Last modification date
17/09/2024 6:20
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