Empathy towards nature is a main indicator of children’s connectedness to natureConnectedness to nature (CTN) is generally defined in relation to three psychological domains: cognitive, affective, and behavioral. Related research indicates that CTN during childhood plays a crucial role in the development of an individual’s attitudes and behaviors towards the natural world. While numerous instruments have been developed to measure children’s CTN, the underlying constructs are not well understood. The aim of this study was to identify such constructs.
Two forms of research were used: quantitative and qualitative. Questionnaires completed by 760 children (age 10-11) in Malaysia provided the quantitative data. Items on the questionnaires were based on six potential CTN constructs identified through previous research. Two of the constructs reflected the cognitive domain (nature awareness and environmental identity); two, the affective domain (enjoyment in nature and empathy towards nature); and two, the behavioral domain (interest in nature activities and interest in natural places). Questionnaire responses were used to categorize children’s CTN into low, moderate-, and high-level groups. Twenty-four children from each of these groups (with a total sample of 72) participated in the qualitative part of the research, which consisted of focus group discussions and drawing activities.
Quantitative results showed that most children (66.8%) had a moderate level of CTN; 16.7% had a high level; and 16.4% had a low level. The affective and cognitive domains of CTN were reflected in the children’s CTN more than the behavioral domain. For the low and moderate CTN groups, the enjoyment-in-nature construct received the highest rating; for the high CTN group, the highest rating was empathy towards nature. This contrasts with the low CTN group, where empathy towards nature received the lowest rating. Qualitative data revealed two additional themes or constructs: nature identification (knowledge of specific natural elements) and negative affiliation (negative feelings towards nature).
The overall findings of this research confirm that CTN in children can be reflected across cognitive, affective, and behavioral domains and assessed through eight themes. The findings also indicate that “empathy towards nature is the main indicator to measure children’s CTN.”
The Bottom Line