Childhood exposure to blue space may support pro-environmental behaviors in adulthoodPro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in adulthood, actions such as recycling and energy conservation, are linked to childhood experiences in nature. With nature contact decreasing globally, there is growing concern over the lack of childhood connection to nature and the implications this may have on stewardship behaviors and care for nature in adulthood. This study sought to further investigate the relationship between childhood nature contact and adult PEBs by specifically considering childhood experiences with inland blue space environments, which include rivers, lakes, and coastlines. The researchers proposed that an individuals’ childhood blue space exposure would result in more environmental actions as an adult.
Data collection was conducted as an extension of the BlueHealth International Survey in Austria. The sample (N = 2,370) included an equal number of adult females and males who ranged in age from 18–89 years and were representative of the adult population of Austria. Self-reported PEB was assessed through 12 yes/no questions regarding behaviors during the previous four weeks. Self-reports of recalled blue space exposure during childhood (between the ages 0 and 16) included three questions which were scored on a seven-point scale. Researchers assessed nature connectedness, as measured through the Inclusion of Nature in Self scale, and participants also reported the frequency of recent visits to blue and green space. Socio-demographic variables collected included gender, ethnicity, education, employment, and distance from participants’ home to green and blue space. Data analysis tested for associations between childhood blue space contact and PEB as an adult, while controlling for nature connectedness, recent blue/green space visits, and socio-demographics.
Analysis found that recalled childhood blue space exposure was significantly linked to PEB in adulthood. When the variables of nature connectedness, recent blue/green space visits, and socio-demographics (gender, work status, household income, and number of adults in household) were included in the analysis, the relationship between recalled childhood blue space exposure and PEB remained significant, although the strength of the association decreased. Although a direct effect of recalled blue space on adult PEB, analysis also detected “significant indirect pathways” to PEB from recalled childhood blue space through the influence of: 1) nature connectedness, 2) nature connectedness and recent visits to blue spaces, and 3) nature connectedness and recent visits to green spaces.
The key contribution of this study is the documentation of a sequential effect from recalled childhood blue space exposure linking to nature connectedness in adulthood, which was in turn related to frequent recent visits to green and blue spaces, which in turn predicted PEB. The research points to the potential for children’s inland blue space exposure to predict adults’ engagement in PEBs. Still, the researchers caution that the “cross-sectional nature of the data does not allow us to make concrete causal conclusions.” Other limitations of the study include its reliance on self-reports and recollections of childhood memories. Nonetheless, the results contribute to an understanding of the importance of natural settings for children to support nature connectedness and the development of environmentally friendly behaviors.
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