Work

What drives students’ green intentions? A psychological approach

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study examines the psychological and motivational factors influencing green behavioral intention among university students, focusing on eco-anxiety, social anxiety, green motivation (intrinsic and extrinsic), and perceived environmental responsibility. Grounded in self-determination theory and value-based frameworks, the study proposes and tests a structural model using data from 350 Vietnamese students, analyzed via PLS-SEM. Results show that both eco-anxiety and social anxiety positively affect intrinsic and extrinsic green motivation, which in turn significantly predict green behavioral intention. Perceived environmental responsibility not only directly influences green intention but also moderates the effects of motivation. All nine hypotheses were supported, and the model accounted for a substantial variance in motivation and intention. The findings underscore the importance of emotional and ethical factors in shaping pro-environmental behavior and offer practical implications for sustainability education and behavior change strategies in higher education.

Source: BMC Psychology

DOI: 10.1186/s40359-025-03791-w

Authors: Avus C. Y. Hou, Nam Tien Duong, Van Kien Pham, Thuy Dung Pham Thi

Institutions: Asia Eastern University of Science and Technology, Ming Chi University of Technology, VinUniversity, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance

Language: English

Topic: Environmental Education and Sustainability

Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Quality education

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,990