My Parents Taught…Green Was My Growth! The Role of Intergenerational Transmission of Ecological Values in Young Adults’ Pro-Environmental Behaviors and Their Psychosocial Mechanisms

Abstract

Past research on pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) has identified several psychosocial determinants, ranging from personal values to attitudes—mostly environmental concerns—and norms. Less attention has been devoted to the role of affect and identity processes, until recently, when investigations began into the emotional connections with nature and environmental identity, i.e., one’s self-concept in relation to the natural world. Finally, research into the parent–child transmission of ecological values was recently developed. We aimed to analyze the role of the above-mentioned variables in predicting different PEBs, within a comprehensive framework. We hypothesized a chain relationship between the ecological values of parents and mothers, the ecological values of their children, environmental concerns, affect towards nature, environmental identity, and PEBs, as the final outcomes. In a cross-sectional exploratory study, an online questionnaire was administered to 175 young Italian adults. Validated scales to measure the above variables and socio-demographics were included. The results showed a different pattern of predictors for each PEB. Overall, the importance of the emotional connection with nature and environmental identity in predicting PEBs has clearly emerged. Finally, the role of intergenerational transmission of ecological values in PEBs, with differences between the influence of fathers and mothers, is outlined. The study provides a more integrative view of PEBs by considering the variety of human processes. Theoretical and practical implications of results are discussed.

Are happier adolescents more willing to protect the environment? Empirical evidence from Programme for International Student Assessment 2018

“…Additionally, this paper further enriches the study of adolescent PEBs from a positive psychology perspective. Most existing studies focus on objective factors at the individual or social level, while subjective factors are scarcely explored ( Barbaro and Pickett, 2016 ; Molinario et al, 2020 ; Scopelliti et al, 2022 ). To the best of our knowledge, only Solano-Pinto et al (2020) have empirically tested whether there is a reciprocal influence between children’s wellbeing and connectivity with nature which may promote their PEBs.…”

Revised environmental identity scale: Adaptation and preliminary examination on a sample of Italian pet owners

“…A second, shorter scale was later proposed, which is composed of 11 items (Clayton, 2012;Prévot et al, 2018), for example, "In general, being part of the natural world is an important part of my self-image" and "When I am upset 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.892841 or stressed, I can feel better by spending some time outdoors "communing with nature". This scale has been used in a study conducted by Scopelliti et al (2022), which is aimed at gaining a better understanding of the psychosocial determinants of young adults' pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs), adding the contribution of affect and identity processes to well-established cognitive factors, and the role of intergenerational transmission of ecological values in these mechanisms. Concerning the dimensionality of the scales, most studies are consistent in finding a one-factor solution (e.g., Chew, 2019).…”

“…Even though environmental psychology studies are abundant in Italy, there does not seem to be any available Italian adaptation of the EID Scale, while some translations already exist (see Scopelliti et al, 2022 for the 11-item version). In the framework of an international study on pet owners, involving an Italian sample, it was thus decided to work on an Italian translation and adaptation of the Revised EID Scale.…”

Study on Adolescent Pro-Environmental Behaviors from the Perspective of Intergenerational Transmission

“…Adolescents feel a responsibility and obligation to protect the environment. Values are not only the foundation of environmentalism, but also a steady source of continued pro-environmental behavior [5]. Pro-environmental behaviors are related to anthropocentric and ecocentric values, which enhance people's awareness of environmental protection [6].…”