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Environmental Connection, Awareness, and Behaviors in University Students: An Exploratory Portuguese Study

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  • Ana Torres

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Center for Health Technology and Services Research of the Health Research Network (CINTESIS@RISE), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Paula Carvalho

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Jorge Costa

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Claudia Silva

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

  • Rosa Marina Afonso

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Center for Health Technology and Services Research of the Health Research Network (CINTESIS@RISE), 4200-319 Porto, Portugal)

  • Carla Nascimento

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal)

  • Manuel Loureiro

    (Department of Psychology and Education, Faculty of Human Social Sciences, University of Beira Interior, 6200-209 Covilhã, Portugal
    Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal)

Abstract

Addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within universities is an urgent necessity. Understanding and measuring the environmental behaviors of university students is an essential initial step in this process. This study had two primary objectives: to translate and adapt the General Ecological Behavior (GEB) Scale for European Portuguese and to provide an exploratory analysis of environmental connection, awareness, and behaviors within a Portuguese university student sample. A convenience sample of 112 university students, aged 18–65, was surveyed using a paper-based, self-report questionnaire. This instrument included sections on sociodemographics, environmental concerns, preferences, and self-report measures (GEB, GAD-7, and PHQ-9). We present the translation and adaptation procedure for the GEB, alongside preliminary findings that suggest acceptable reliability, factorial validity, and discriminant validity. Moreover, exploratory data on environmental connection, awareness, and behaviors are discussed. This study provides a foundational measure for future research into pro-environmental behaviors in the Portuguese context and contributes preliminary insights into the environmental attitudes and behaviors of Portuguese university students. We urge future research to focus on the SDGs, examining factors, measures, and strategies to enhance pro-environmental behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Ana Torres & Paula Carvalho & Jorge Costa & Claudia Silva & Rosa Marina Afonso & Carla Nascimento & Manuel Loureiro, 2023. "Environmental Connection, Awareness, and Behaviors in University Students: An Exploratory Portuguese Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:13763-:d:1240485
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yiannis Georgiou & Andreas Ch. Hadjichambis & Demetra Hadjichambi, 2021. "Teachers’ Perceptions on Environmental Citizenship: A Systematic Review of the Literature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-29, March.
    2. Mónica Fernández & Gisela Cebrián & Elisa Regadera & M. Yolanda Fernández, 2020. "Analysing the Relationship between University Students’ Ecological Footprint and Their Connection with Nature and Pro-Environmental Attitude," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Henry Kaiser, 1974. "An index of factorial simplicity," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 39(1), pages 31-36, March.
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    1. Noor Saleh Alalawi & Osama Omar, 2024. "Towards Greener Campuses: Assessing Pro-Environmental Behaviours in the University of Bahrain Campus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, February.
    2. Jinrong Zhang & Caixia Xue & Guangjian Hou, 2024. "The Impact of Chinese Public Environmental Awareness on Environmental Behavior: An Analysis Based on China National Surveys in 2003, 2010 and 2021," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, September.
    3. Yu-Ling Peng & Yuan Li & Wei-Ying Cheng & Ke Wang, 2024. "Evaluation and Optimization of Sense of Security during the Day and Night in Campus Public Spaces Based on Physical Environment and Psychological Perception," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-26, February.

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