Gender

Ethnic

Educ

Income

Bio2

Bio EVO

Anthro EVO

PEB

AdultOut KidOut

Bio3 Bio4

Ant1 Ant2 Ant3

PEB1

Bio1 Bio5

PEB2

PEB3

OutKid OutAdult

Positive Relationships

Negative Relationships

0.43 (0.03)

t=5.31

0.54 (0.12)

t=5.70

0.19 (0.08)

t=2.56

0.27 (0.13)

t=2.63

0.17 (0.09)

t=1.99

-0.23 (0.06)

t=-2.14

-0.19 (0.06)

t=-3.19

-0.22 (0.06)

t=-3.78

R2=0.40

R2=0.18

R2=0.22

R2=0.16

Exploring the Influence of Outdoor Recreation

Participation on Pro-environmental Behavior Lincoln R. Larson, Jason W. Whiting, & Gary T. Green (Univ. of Georgia)

Background

Methods

Future Research

Efforts to promote conservation often focus on

factors influencing the development of pro-

environmental behavior (PEB) (Turaga et al. 2010)

Traditional PEB prediction models have centered

on causal relationships among values, attitudes,

& behaviors (i.e., Stern et al. 1995)

However, studies suggest that other factors may

also contribute, including:

Socio-demographics (Johnson et al. 2004)

Outdoor recreation participation (Kareiva

2008; Tarrant & Green, 1999)

Discussion

Both biocentric & anthropocentric value

orientations linked to PEB

Antropocentric connection could stem from

desire to produce societal good

Effects of socio-demographics on PEB mediated

by value orientations

Low income/education associated with

higher anthropocentric scores

Females & minorities associated with higher

biocentric scores

Indirect effects of socio-demographics on PEB

suggest that ethnicity & income may not

influence PEB participation, challenging

traditional assumptions (Floyd 1998)

Evidence for link between outdoor recreation

participation & PEB

Supports theory that time outdoors could

influence conservation ethos (Cordell &

Tarrant 2002, Louv 2008)

Supports evidence that childhood interaction

with nature promotes adult environmentalism

(Wells & Lekies 2006)

Model Fit Statistics: Satorra Bentler χ2(99) = 195.2, p<0.001;

SRMR = 0.07; RMSEA = 0.06; NNFI = 0.93; CFI = 0.95

Statement of Purpose To extend existing models & account for the effects

of demographic diversity & outdoor recreation

participation on PEB.

Intercept survey of summer 2009 visitors to

Georgia State Parks (N=319, response rate=83%)

Structural equation modeling used to examine

relationships among PEB & potential correlates:

Variable Scale/Code

Pro-environmental Behavior (PEB) from 1=never to 5=very often 3 items, factor loadings>0.49, Cronbach’s α=0.649

Environmental Value Orientations

Biocentric (Bio EVO)

Anthropocentric (Anthro EVO)

from 1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree 5 items, factor loadings>0.54, Cronbach’s α=0.820

3 items, factor loadings>0.63, Cronbach’s α=0.706

Socio-demographics

Gender (Gender)

Ethnicity (Ethnic)

Education (Educ)

Income (Income)

0=female, 1=male

0=non-white, 1=white

from 1=some high school to 4=postgrad degree

from 1=$19,999 or less to 6=$100,000 or more

Outdoor Recreation Participation

During childhood (Kid Out)

During adulthood (Adult Out)

from 1=never to 5=very often

PEB Prediction Model Accounting for Environmental Value Orientations,

Socio-demographics & Outdoor Recreation Participation (Only standardized coefficients of significant paths are shown)

Results

For more information about this study & associated references, see: Larson, L. R., Whiting, J. W., & Green, G. T. (2011). Exploring the influence of outdoor recreation participation on pro- environmental behaviour in a demographically diverse population. Local Environment, 16(1), 67-86.

Account for motivation to participate in PEB

Examine other latent variables including subjective norms,

behavior intentions, & perceived behavioral control –

critical components of Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen

1991) & Value-Belief-Norm Theory (Stern et al. 1999)

Incorporate other PEB metrics (i.e., green consumerism,

environmental citizenship, energy/water conservation, etc.)

Build on existing framework to investigate factors

influencing relationship between outdoor recreation & PEB