An extensive literature on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) highlighted the inconsistency between individual goals and actual behavior (Nielsen & Hofmann, 2021). People embracing self-transcendence values (i.e., assigning priority to social welfare and nature) are more likely to perform PEBs (Steg et al., 2014). Since PEBs can be demanding in terms of personal resources (Nielsen, 2017), to align PEBs with long-term goals or values (e.g., Nielsen & Hofmann, 2021), namely to sustain one’s motivation in the face of difficulties, self-regulation processes may be pivotal (e.g., Wyss et al., 2021). Among others, self-efficacy may represent a central mechanism in supporting motivation (Caprara & Steca, 2007; Bandura, 1997) and PEB (Tabernero & Hernández, 2011). Consistent with these premises, the present study aims to examine to what extent self-transcendence values (i.e., universalism) exert their influence over PEBs (i.e., green consumerism, recycling, energy saving) through pro-environmental self-regulatory efficacy beliefs (beliefs about one’s ability to overcome internal or external contingent barriers to PEBs). Data used for the present study were part of an ongoing intensive longitudinal study. The study sample consisted of 180 Italian surveyed participants (age range=18-35; mean age=25.3, SD=3.4). Preliminary results on a partial sub-sample (n=56) showed that the relationship between self-transcendence values and PEBs, after controlling for gender and perceived usefulness of PEBs, was partially mediated by self-regulatory efficacy (β=.185; p= .032). This study shed new light on the motivational mechanisms underlying PEBs, highlighting the potential positive role of self-regulatory efficacy beliefs in enacting PEBs in young individuals. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Values and Pro-environmental behavior: the mediating role of Self-regulatory efficacy beliefs / Caldaroni, S.; Gerbino, M.; Zuffiano', A.; Remondi, C.; Gregori, F.; Manfredi, L.; Pastorelli, C.. - (2023). (Intervento presentato al convegno ICEP, International Conference on Environmental Psychology tenutosi a Aarhus, Denmark).
Values and Pro-environmental behavior: the mediating role of Self-regulatory efficacy beliefs
Caldaroni S.;Gerbino M.;Zuffiano' A.;Remondi C.;Gregori F.;Manfredi L.;Pastorelli C.
2023
Abstract
An extensive literature on pro-environmental behavior (PEB) highlighted the inconsistency between individual goals and actual behavior (Nielsen & Hofmann, 2021). People embracing self-transcendence values (i.e., assigning priority to social welfare and nature) are more likely to perform PEBs (Steg et al., 2014). Since PEBs can be demanding in terms of personal resources (Nielsen, 2017), to align PEBs with long-term goals or values (e.g., Nielsen & Hofmann, 2021), namely to sustain one’s motivation in the face of difficulties, self-regulation processes may be pivotal (e.g., Wyss et al., 2021). Among others, self-efficacy may represent a central mechanism in supporting motivation (Caprara & Steca, 2007; Bandura, 1997) and PEB (Tabernero & Hernández, 2011). Consistent with these premises, the present study aims to examine to what extent self-transcendence values (i.e., universalism) exert their influence over PEBs (i.e., green consumerism, recycling, energy saving) through pro-environmental self-regulatory efficacy beliefs (beliefs about one’s ability to overcome internal or external contingent barriers to PEBs). Data used for the present study were part of an ongoing intensive longitudinal study. The study sample consisted of 180 Italian surveyed participants (age range=18-35; mean age=25.3, SD=3.4). Preliminary results on a partial sub-sample (n=56) showed that the relationship between self-transcendence values and PEBs, after controlling for gender and perceived usefulness of PEBs, was partially mediated by self-regulatory efficacy (β=.185; p= .032). This study shed new light on the motivational mechanisms underlying PEBs, highlighting the potential positive role of self-regulatory efficacy beliefs in enacting PEBs in young individuals. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
