IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v18y2021i6p3306-d522430.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students

Author

Listed:
  • Annalaura Carducci

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Maria Fiore

    (Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Antonio Azara

    (Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Padre Manzella 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Guglielmo Bonaccorsi

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Martina Bortoletto

    (AZIENDA ULSS 6 EUGANEA, Servizio di Prevenzione, Igiene e Sicurezza negli Ambienti di Lavoro (SPISAL), Via Ospedale 22, 35131 Padova, Italy)

  • Giuseppina Caggiano

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Andrea Calamusa

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Antonella De Donno

    (Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Osvalda De Giglio

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Marco Dettori

    (Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Via Padre Manzella 4, 07100 Sassari, Italy)

  • Pamela Di Giovanni

    (Department of Pharmacy, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy)

  • Angela Di Pietro

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario “G. Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Alessio Facciolà

    (Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Policlinico Universitario “G. Martino”, Via Consolare Valeria 1, 98100 Messina, Italy)

  • Ileana Federigi

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Iolanda Grappasonni

    (School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Alberto Izzotti

    (Department of Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Genoa, Via Antonio Pastore 1, 16132 Genoa, Italy
    IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy)

  • Giovanni Libralato

    (Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cinthia 21, 80126 Naples, Italy)

  • Chiara Lorini

    (Department of Health Science, University of Florence, Viale Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy)

  • Maria Teresa Montagna

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences and Human Oncology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Piazza G. Cesare 11, 70124 Bari, Italy)

  • Liberata Keti Nicolosi

    (Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Grazia Paladino

    (Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Giacomo Palomba

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Fabio Petrelli

    (School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Tiziana Schilirò

    (Department of Public Health and Pediatrics, University of Torino, Piazza Polonia 94, 10126 Torino, Italy)

  • Stefania Scuri

    (School of Medicinal and Health Products Sciences, University of Camerino, Via Madonna delle Carceri 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy)

  • Francesca Serio

    (Laboratory of Hygiene, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technology, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy)

  • Marina Tesauro

    (Department of Biomedical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Milan, Via Carlo Pascal 36, 20133 Milan, Italy)

  • Marco Verani

    (Department of Biology, University of Pisa, Via S. Zeno 35, 56127 Pisa, Italy)

  • Marco Vinceti

    (Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy
    Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Federica Violi

    (Section of Public Health, Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Giuseppe Campi 287, 41125 Modena, Italy)

  • Margherita Ferrante

    (Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G. F. Ingrassia”, Catania University, Via Santa Sofia 87, 95123 Catania, Italy)

Abstract

The awareness of citizens concerning the health risks caused by environmental pollution is growing, but studies on determinants of pro-environmental behaviors have rarely examined health-related aspects. In this study, we investigated these determinants using data from a large survey among Italian university students (15 Universities: 4778 filled questionnaires). Besides the health-related aspects, represented by environmental health risk perception and functional health literacy, we considered social and demographic characteristics (gender, area of residence, sources of information, trust in institutional and non-institutional subjects, and students’ capacity of positive actions, indicated as internal locus of control). The attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors were positive for more than 70% of students and positively related with health risk perception, internal locus of control, and health literacy. The correspondence between the positive attitudes towards pro-environmental behaviors and the real adoption of such behaviors was approximately 20% for most behaviors, except for the separate collection of waste (60%). Such a discrepancy can be attributable to external obstacles (i.e., lack of time, costs, lack of support). The health-related aspects were linked to the pro-environmental attitudes, but to a lesser extent to pro-environmental behaviors, owing to the complexity of their determinants. However, they should be taken in account in planning education interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Annalaura Carducci & Maria Fiore & Antonio Azara & Guglielmo Bonaccorsi & Martina Bortoletto & Giuseppina Caggiano & Andrea Calamusa & Antonella De Donno & Osvalda De Giglio & Marco Dettori & Pamela D, 2021. "Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Determinants and Obstacles among Italian University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3306-:d:522430
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3306/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/6/3306/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shan Gao & Weimin Li & Shuang Ling & Xin Dou & Xiaozhou Liu, 2019. "An Empirical Study on the Influence Path of Environmental Risk Perception on Behavioral Responses In China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    2. Ajzen, Icek, 1991. "The theory of planned behavior," Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Elsevier, vol. 50(2), pages 179-211, December.
    3. Samuel Brody & Himanshu Grover & Arnold Vedlitz, 2012. "Examining the willingness of Americans to alter behaviour to mitigate climate change," Climate Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 12(1), pages 1-22, January.
    4. Kathleen M. Gray, 2018. "From Content Knowledge to Community Change: A Review of Representations of Environmental Health Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zofia Chyleńska & Eliza Rybska & Sylwia Jaskulska & Maciej Błaszak & Barbara Jankowiak, 2022. "How about the Attitudes towards Nature? Analysis of the Nature and Biology Primary School Education Curricula in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-14, September.
    2. Elisabeth Pfleger & Hans Drexler & Regina Lutz, 2024. "Health Literacy and Environmental Risks Focusing Air Pollution: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study in Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-19, March.
    3. Gioacchino Fazio & Stefano Fricano & Claudio Pirrone, 2022. "Piattaforme oil and gas e sviluppo turistico: evidenze da una analisi esplorativa sull’accettabilità del decommissioning circolare," Regional Economy, , vol. 6(Q2), pages 15-23.
    4. Keren Dopelt & Liza Aharon & Miri Rimon, 2024. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Regarding Health and Environment in an Israeli Community: Implications for Sustainable Urban Environments and Public Health," World, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-14, August.
    5. Nikša Alfirević & Koraljka Modić Stanke & Fabrizio Santoboni & Giuseppe Curcio, 2023. "The Roles of Professional Socialization and Higher Education Context in Prosocial and Pro-Environmental Attitudes of Social Science and Humanities versus Business Students in Italy and Croatia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    6. Lucie K. Ozanne & Paul W. Ballantine & Aimee McMaster, 2022. "Understanding Food Waste Produced by University Students: A Social Practice Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    7. Margarida Figueiredo & Alexandre Dias & José Neves & Henrique Vicente, 2023. "Assessment of Literacy to Biotechnological Solutions for Environmental Sustainability in Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.
    8. Vasile Gherheș & Mariana Cernicova-Buca & Marcela Alina Fărcașiu & Adina Palea, 2021. "Romanian Students’ Environment-Related Routines during COVID-19 Home Confinement: Water, Plastic, and Paper Consumption," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-24, August.
    9. Ziyao Huang & Fang Yang, 2024. "Macroeconomic Impacts of College Expansion on Structural Transformation and Energy Economy in China: A Heterogeneous Agent General Equilibrium Approach," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-31, July.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ellen Fogarty & Beverley Clarke & Kirstin E. Ross, 2021. "Investigating Food Waste Recycling in Local Food Service Businesses: A Case Study from a Local Government Area in Australia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yueling Xu & Wenyu Zhang & Haijun Bao & Shuai Zhang & Ying Xiang, 2019. "A SEM–Neural Network Approach to Predict Customers’ Intention to Purchase Battery Electric Vehicles in China’s Zhejiang Province," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, June.
    3. WeiYu Ji & Edwin H. W. Chan, 2019. "Critical Factors Influencing the Adoption of Smart Home Energy Technology in China: A Guangdong Province Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-24, November.
    4. Lilian Kojan & Laura Burbach & Martina Ziefle & André Calero Valdez, 2022. "Perceptions of behaviour efficacy, not perceptions of threat, are drivers of COVID-19 protective behaviour in Germany," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Mei‐Fang Chen, 2020. "The impacts of perceived moral obligation and sustainability self‐identity on sustainability development: A theory of planned behavior purchase intention model of sustainability‐labeled coffee and the," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2404-2417, September.
    6. Maria Andersson & Ola Eriksson & Chris Von Borgstede, 2012. "The Effects of Environmental Management Systems on Source Separation in the Work and Home Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 4(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Tran Huy Phuong & Thanh Trung Hieu, 2015. "Predictors of Entrepreneurial Intentions of Undergraduate Students in Vietnam: An Empirical Study," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 5(8), pages 46-55, August.
    8. Clara Cardone-Riportella & María José Casasola-Martinez & Isabel Feito-Ruiz, 2014. "Do Entrepreneurs Come From Venus Or Mars? Impact Of Postgraduate Studies: Gender And Family Business Background," Working Papers 14.04, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Department of Financial Economics and Accounting (former Department of Business Administration), revised Sep 2014.
    9. Peng Cheng & Zhe Ouyang & Yang Liu, 0. "The effect of information overload on the intention of consumers to adopt electric vehicles," Transportation, Springer, vol. 0, pages 1-20.
    10. Ruijie Zhu & Guojing Zhao & Zehai Long & Yangjie Huang & Zhaoxin Huang, 2022. "Entrepreneurship or Employment? A Survey of College Students’ Sustainable Entrepreneurial Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-15, May.
    11. Alsalem, Amani & Fry, Marie-Louise & Thaichon, Park, 2020. "To donate or to waste it: Understanding posthumous organ donation attitude," Australasian marketing journal, Elsevier, vol. 28(3), pages 87-97.
    12. Pan, Jing Yu & Liu, Dahai, 2022. "Mask-wearing intentions on airplanes during COVID-19 – Application of theory of planned behavior model," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 32-44.
    13. Benoît Lécureux & Adrien Bonnet & Ouassim Manout & Jaâfar Berrada & Louafi Bouzouina, 2022. "Acceptance of Shared Autonomous Vehicles: A Literature Review of stated choice experiments," Working Papers hal-03814947, HAL.
    14. Jacqueline Ruth & Steffen Willwacher & Oliver Korn, 2022. "Acceptance of Digital Sports: A Study Showing the Rising Acceptance of Digital Health Activities Due to the SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-16, January.
    15. Jariyasunant, Jerald & Carrel, Andre & Ekambaram, Venkatesan & Gaker, David & Sengupta, Raja & Walker, Joan L., 2012. "The Quantified Traveler: Changing transport behavior with personalized travel data feedback," University of California Transportation Center, Working Papers qt3047k0dw, University of California Transportation Center.
    16. Brown, Philip & Roper, Simon, 2017. "Innovation and networks in New Zealand farming," Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society, vol. 61(3), July.
    17. Teodora Roman, 2009. "Study regarding entrepreneurial intentions among students," THE YEARBOOK OF THE "GH. ZANE" INSTITUTE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCHES, Gheorghe Zane Institute for Economic and Social Research ( from THE ROMANIAN ACADEMY, JASSY BRANCH), vol. 18, pages 87-94.
    18. Messele Kumilachew Aga, 2023. "The mediating role of perceived behavioral control in the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Ethiopia," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-18, December.
    19. Kristin Thomas & Evalill Nilsson & Karin Festin & Pontus Henriksson & Mats Lowén & Marie Löf & Margareta Kristenson, 2020. "Associations of Psychosocial Factors with Multiple Health Behaviors: A Population-Based Study of Middle-Aged Men and Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    20. Andreas Falke & Nadine Schröder & Claudia Hofmann, 2022. "The influence of values in sustainable consumption among millennials," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 92(6), pages 899-928, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3306-:d:522430. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.