| 其他摘要 | Creating sustainable cities is a challenge for many countries and regions. With the rapid development of the economy and urbanization, many cities are faced with environmental problems such as air pollution, water shortages, and garbage siege. Encouraging residents to engage in pro-environment behaviors such as garbage sorting, green travel, and water conservation is crucial to solving these environmental problems and promoting sustainable urban development.
Place attachment may play a key role in encouraging residents' pro-environmental behaviors, yet the conclusions are controversial. Research on how place attachment affects pro-environmental behaviors can contribute to investigating and clarifying these controversial findings. At the same time, whether there is a causal link between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors is still unclear, and the mechanisms between them have not been fully explored. By incorporating empathy with nature and nature relatedness, the present study used a combination of survey and experimental research to delve into the association between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors and their underlying mechanisms.
In Study 1, large-sample research was conducted in Beijing using questionnaires, and a total of 1,128 valid data (Female 60.5%, Mage = 35.54) were collected. The results showed that place attachment could positively predict pro-environment behaviors. The dimension of place attachment: place identity, natural bonding, and social bonding can significantly positively affect pro-environment behaviors, and place dependence negatively predicts pro-environment behavior. Place attachment positively influences pro-environment behaviors through the sequential mediating effect of empathy with nature and nature relatedness.
To test whether there is a causal relationship between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors, we manipulated place attachment using a scenario simulation method in Study 2. A total of 230 valid data (Female 54.35%, Mage = 29.62) were collected across the country and randomly assigned to the attachment group and the control group. Our results demonstrate the robust causal link between place attachment and pro-environmental behaviors. In addition, consistent with Study 1, the results of Study 2 show that empathy with nature and nature relatedness act as a multi-step mediator between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors. Place attachment can promote pro-environment behavior through the independent mediating role of nature relatedness, but the mediating role of empathy with nature is not significant.
To our knowledge, this is the first time that the crucial effect of place attachment in pro-environmental behaviors has been investigated through a combination of investigative and experimental studies. By including two variables, empathy with nature and nature relatedness, we first verified the multi-step mediating effect between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors. The results of this study strengthen our understanding of the relationship and mechanism between place attachment and pro-environment behaviors and make theoretical contributions to the research of place attachment. This study opens up new ways and methods for local governments and city managers to formulate effective environmental management policies, which have practical and practical significance. |
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