From Nature to Nurture: How Does Environmental Education Link With Adolescent Problem Behaviors Through Nature Connectedness and Self-Control

Abstract

This study recruited 2,361 secondary students (M(age) = 15.08) to examine links between environmental education and adolescent problem behaviors, focusing on nature connectedness as a mediator and self-control as a moderator. Results showed environmental education was negatively correlated with problem behaviors (rs = −0.25, p < .001, 95% CI [−0.29, −0.22]); nature connectedness mediated this link (ab = −0.04, 95% CI [−0.06, −0.03]); and self-control moderated the nature connectedness–problem behaviors association (β = .05, p < .01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.08]), weakening the negative relation at higher self-control. These findings highlight environmental education’s potential protective role in reducing adolescent problem behaviors and the importance of fostering nature connectedness while considering self-control differences in interventions.

Keywords

environmental education nature connectedness self-control problem behaviors adolescents

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