Predictors of pro-environmental behavior in adults overlap with, but aren’t the same, as predictors of environmental action in youthThe purpose of this study was to explore predictors of action and future action in student environmental leaders. The study also explored how changes in levels of potential predictors following an educational intervention influenced the relationships among these variables. Previous research identified four significant predictors of adult environmental behavior: environmental attitudes, locus of control, sense of personal responsibility, and intention toward action. A goal of this study was to explore the predictability of these same factors in younger people’s environmental behavior and their intention for future involvement in environmental action.
Data was collected from 98 high school youth participating in a Student Climate and Conservation Congress (SC3), an educational program promoting action competence in youth. Students selected for the SC3 program had demonstrated an interest in the environment and potential for future environmental leadership. The program includes a weeklong congress during the summer engaging students in interactive discussions with leaders in the environmental and conservation communities and in follow-up environmental action projects.
Prior to the program, students completed a pretest survey assessing their environmental attitudes, locus of control, and sense of personal responsibility. After the program, they completed a posttest assessing the same three variables along with an intention toward action. Eight months later, a delayed posttest was administered. The delayed posttest collected information about the students’ environmental action and commitment toward future involvement in environmental action. Only 45 of the 98 study participants completed the delayed posttest.
Changes in scores from pretest to posttest indicated that the SC3 program was successful in fostering positive environmental attitudes, internal locus of control, and sense of personal responsibility. The program was also somewhat successful in influencing environmental action. Of the four variables explored, pre-program levels of environmental attitudes was the only significant predictor of environmental action. Environmental action, however, was not predictive of intention toward future involvement in environmental action. Two predictors of future action were identified: pre-program levels of environmental attitudes and sense of personal responsibility. Pre- to post increases in these two variables, along with locus of control, were not predictive of intention toward future involvement in environmental action. In fact, pre/post changes in levels of environmental attitudes were surprisingly associated with a decrease in environmental action.
This study, by identifying likely differences in predictors of environmental action in adults as compared to youth, call attention to the complexity of antecedents to action. The authors discuss some implications of this complexity in relation to program development and further research. They note, for example, an evident need for research exploring effective ways to promote action and sustained involvement in action. They also note the need for environmental education to be grounded in research pertaining to behavior and action.
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