Exploring the Mediating Role of Pride and Shame of Place on Place-Based Constructs and Self-Esteem in European and African Adolescent Samples

Introduction: In environmental psychology, the emotions of pride and shame related to place have received limited attention. This paper presents findings from two studies conducted in European and African contexts. The aim was to address a research gap by examining the mediating role of pride and shame in place attachment, place identity, and place connectedness, with individual self-esteem as the outcome. Method: Study 1 (n=182) took place in Ireland, Italy, and Portugal, while study 2 (n=120) was conducted in Kenya. Adolescent students completed standardized scales. Results: Nine mediation models were tested, with place identity, place connectedness, and place attachment as predictors. Authentic pride of place showed significant mediation in Study 1, and Study 2 confirmed this finding while also identifying three significant models for hubristic pride. Shame of place partially mediated the relationship between place connectedness and self-esteem. Conclusion: The significant mediation models highlight the understudied yet impactful role of pride and shame of place in people-place processes. Cultural differences may influence emotional attributes, as evidenced by the divergent outcomes observed in both studies.