Abstract
The aim of this study is to examine interrelationships between three dimensions of human and nature restoration: psychological, ethical, and environmental restoration, as well as exploring the link between those types of restoration, appreciation of beauty, and sustainable behavior (SB). Four-hundred and sixty-five adult residents in diverse Mexican cities participated in the study. Participants were asked to self-report their perceived psychological restoration, the (also perceived) restoration of ethics in their community, the degree of perceived environmental restoration in their surroundings, as well as their actions oriented toward sustainability and their level of appreciation of beauty. The data were processed through a structural equation model, which seems to reveal that an integral restoration—comprising psychological, ethical, and environmental dimensions—can foster SBs and is significantly influenced by individuals’ appreciation of beauty in nature. In turn, these types of restoration are deeply interconnected and jointly enhance one’s motivation toward environmentally friendly, pro-social, and self-care behaviors, collectively described as SBs. Moreover, significant correlations between aesthetical appreciation and the adoption of ethical and conservationist behaviors were demonstrated, suggesting a link between emotional connection elicited by beauty appreciation and the motivation to protect the environment.
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