Determining Influence of Self-Efficacy, Ascribed Responsibility, and the Theory of Planned Behavior on Pro-Environmental Behavior among the Youth

Isabel Beatriz P. De Leon will defend her MS in Sustainability Management Thesis entitled "Determining Influence of Self-Efficacy, Ascribed Responsibility, and the Theory of Planned Behavior on Pro-Environmental Behavior among the Youth"
March 24, 2023 at 9:00-10:30am

Her adviser is Anna A. Mendiola, PhD.

Her panelists are:

Enrico C. Osi, PhD

Norman S. Tanchingco, PhD

Abstract:

Human activities have extensively contributed to environmental degradation that threaten human health and sustainable economic growth across the world. Despite evidence of a growing consciousness of environmental concerns, this does not seem to translate to pro-environmental behavior (PEB) which is necessary to counter the effects of global warming and climate change. This study examined the influence of self-efficacy, ascribed responsibility, and the theory of planned behavior on intention of youth to behave pro-environmentally. A total of 2,402 youth, ages 18-24 years old, were surveyed via an online platform. The results showed that attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control predicted intention to behave pro-environmentally. Additionally, both self-efficacy and ascribed responsibility significantly influenced intention. Further analysis revealed that the relationship between self-efficacy and intention is significantly mediated by all the constructs of the theory of planned behavior. With ascribed responsibility, only subjective norms significantly mediated its relationship with intention to behave pro-environmentally. Results, therefore, provide further support for the theory of planned behavior as useful in environmental research. It also establishes the importance of building self-efficacy and developing greater ascribed responsibility among the youth towards increased PEB.