Do environmental risk perceptions promote individual pro-environmental behaviors? — the role of environmental concerns and natural exposure

• Published in: Current psychology (New Brunswick, N.J.) N.J.), 2024-10, Vol.43 (38), p.29931-29940
• Main Authors: Zhang, Fangwen, Niu, Xueting, Wang, Shuzhen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Behavior; Behavioral Science and Psychology; Environmental impact; Perceptions; Psychology; Social Sciences
• ISSN: 1046-1310; 1936-4733
• DOI: 10.1007/s12144-024-06576-3

Environmental risk is a special risk that threatens human life and property and may affect people’s environmental behavior, while pro-environmental behavior is the key to coping with environmental problems. This study explores the mechanisms by which environmental risk perception influences pro-environmental behavior based on the protective motivation theory (PMT) and the stimulus-organism-response model (SOR). In this mechanism, we believe that two factors, environmental concern, and natural exposure, play essential roles, and we developed a theoretical model of environmental risk perception influencing pro-environmental behavior. We recruited a sample of 626 general residents (316 males and 310 females) of age (mean (SD) = 37.37 ± 12.84). Participants filled out a paper-and-pencil questionnaire, which included questionnaires on general socio-demographic characteristics and an environmental, psychological scale assessing general environmental risk perceptions, environmental concern, nature exposure, and pro-environmental behavior. The study results showed that environmental risk perception promotes pro-environmental behaviors, environmental concern mediates the relationship between environmental risk perception and pro-environmental behaviors, and nature exposure positively moderates the relationship between environmental risk perception and environmental concern and thus influences pro-environmental behaviors. Our study explains how environmental risk perception affects pro-environmental behavior, constructs a theoretical model of environmental risk perception, and expands the scope of application of the PMT theory and the SOR model. Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that in environmental management, individuals should be aware of environmental risks and encouraged to get close to nature to promote pro-environmental behaviors and realize the harmonious coexistence between human beings and nature.