پژوهان (Mar 2024)
Explaining the Psychological Variables Effective on Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Elementary School Students at Qazvin City: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Students can play an effective role in protecting the environment by changing environment-related beliefs and strengthening responsibility and self-efficacy. The use of behavior change models is a reasonable approach to identifying psychological factors effective on pro-environmental behavior (and is an undeniable necessity before designing cognitive-behavioral interventions. The current study aimed to determine the variables affecting pro-environmental behaviors in elementary school students in Qazvin City using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Materials and Methods: Using a multi-stage sampling method, 184 fifth- and sixth-grade students of public elementary schools participated in a cross-sectional study in 2022-2023. The data collection tool was a self-report questionnaire including demographic information, a knowledge scale, and a 20-item questionnaire to assess pro-environmental behaviors and TPB-related subscales. The data were analyzed using LISREL 8.80 software and statistical tests, such as the Chi-square test, independent T-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and path analysis at a significant level of less than 0.05. Results: The status of some behaviors, such as warning about environmental issues, controlling the ambient temperature, using public transportation, and the pattern of watching TV programs were inappropriate. The strongest correlation coefficient was reported between knowledge and attitude (r=0.675, P<0.05) and the weakest between subjective norms and behavior (r=0.235, P<0.01). Moreover, perceived behavioral control (β=0.49, P<0.05) and attitude (β=0.31, P<0.05) formed the most important constructs affecting intention, and 66.7% and 28.5% of the variance of pro-environmental intentions and behaviors was explained by TPB, respectively. Conclusion: The TPB is considered a suitable and logical theoretical framework for understanding and evaluating psychological variables effective on pro-environmental behavior in students. It is recommended to focus on attitude and perceived behavioral control in designing educational interventions to encourage pro-environmental behaviors.
