Mindfulness as Predictor of Pro-Environmental Behavior: Moderating Role of Nature Connectedness

Abstract

Climate change is a reality and perhaps one of the severe threats to the environment as well as personal wellbeing of the individuals. Mindfulness, pro-environmental behavior and nature connectedness has been debated as a promising factor in enhancing the pro environmental behavior. This study aims to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and pro environmental behavior along with the moderating effect of nature connectedness. For this purpose, data was collected from 285 young adults (N = 285) age ranged 18 to 35 (mean, standard deviation SD) through convenience sampling. State Mindfulness Scale (Tanay & Bernstein, 2013), Connectedness to Nature Scale (Mayer & Frantz, 2004) and Pro environmental Behavior Scale (Markle, 2013) were used to collect data. The results indicated a significant positive correlation between Connectedness to Nature and Mindfulness but Pro Environmental Behavior was not significantly correlated with any of the above mentioned constructs. Results also indicated that the nature connectedness did moderate the relationship between mindfulness and pro environmental behavior. Gender differences were revealed in the level of mindfulness between male and female. These findings are significantly important as they map out the factors on the individual levels that can help us in reducing the climate change by eco-friendly behaviors and by being more connected to nature.