Coping with global environmental problems: Development and first validation of scales

How do people cope with global environmental problems? This article reports on the development and initial validation of a set of scales that measure cop-ing with global environmental problems (e.g., climate change). Lazarus ’ cop-ing approach formed the theoretical basis for the development of the scales. Altogether, eight scales were developed: problem solving, expressive coping, denial of guilt, relativization, wishful thinking, self-protection, pleasure, and resignation. In three studies (N = 265; 275; 225) the scales and the scale struc-ture were replicated (Cronbach’s α:.63 to.90). A two-dimensional metastruc-ture of the scales was supported by the data (problem-focused coping vs. deproblematization-focused coping). Furthermore, correlations (coping with stress and proenvironmental behavior) and hypothesized group differences in coping found empirical support. Thus, the scales can be used for research pro-jects as well as for the preparation and evaluation of interventions to alleviate environmental stress and to foster proenvironmental behavior