Childhood nature experiences can influence sustainable food consumption choices later in life This research aimed to gain a better understanding of the psychological processes underlying human behavior as it relates to sustainable food consumption choices. It focused specifically on how what one experiences during childhood might influence food consumption choices later in life.
The first step in this research process involved the development of a theoretical model describing the psychological route that illustrates how nature-related childhood experiences lead toward both general pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and more specific PEBs such as sustainable food consumer choices. This model was based on findings from previous research indicating that childhood ordinary and extraordinary experiences in nature and pro-environmental social norms promote connectedness with nature and biospheric values. The model was also based on previous research showing that nature connectedness and biospheric values contribute to the development of an environmental self-identity which is considered to be the ultimate factor leading toward general PEBs and sustainable food choices. The model included knowledge about the environment and pro-environmental behaviors as a possible influence on one’s PEBs. Previous research on the role of knowledge in predicting PEBs has produced inconsistent results.
Two different studies were conducted to test this model: one focusing on general PEBs and sustainable consumer fruit choice; the other on sustainable consumer choice of seafood. A pilot study involving 81 adult participants was first conducted to assess the psychometric properties of a questionnaire consisting of eight different scales: norms of significant others during childhood; ordinary childhood nature experiences; extraordinary childhood nature experiences; biospheric values; connectedness with nature; environmental self-identity; objective knowledge; and sustainable fruit choice. The questionnaire also included a self-reported measure of general PEBs. Pilot study results found the questionnaire to be a valid and reliable tool for purposes of this research and was thus used with minor modifications for both Study 1 and Study 2. For Study 2, questions relating to food choice focused on seafood versus fruit. Both studies were conducted in Italy. Data for Study 1 was based on 159 college students, with most of them (96%) being female. Data for Study 2 was based on 151 participants from the general population, with 61% being female.
The results of both studies generally support the theoretical model demonstrating that "childhood nature experiences and exposure to pro-environmental social norms during childhood are related to adulthood development of connectedness with nature and biospheric values; these, in turn, help in shaping adulthood environmental self-identity ultimately influencing the enactment of sustainable food choices during adulthood."
There were some differences, however, between the studies and between the obtained results and the hypothesized relationships in the model. One difference relates to the way ordinary and extraordinary nature experiences impact biospheric values and connectedness with nature. Extraordinary nature experiences – which are characterized by strong emotional response -- are significantly related to biospheric values, but not to connectedness with nature. Ordinary childhood nature experiences – such as gardening, hiking, and camping – on the other hand, positively influence the development of a connection with nature but not biospheric values. Another difference between the results of the two studies and the theoretical model relates to the role of knowledge regarding sustainability and PEBs. The model indicates that more experiences in nature and relevant norms during childhood lead to higher levels of knowledge regarding sustainability which, then, increases PEBs. Results of this research show that knowledge is related to sustainable consumer fruit choice but not to seafood or general PEB choices.
This research shows that early experiences with nature may “set a child on a trajectory toward PEBs and sustainable consumer choices.”
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