Using an Integrated Social Cognition Model to Explain Green Purchasing Behavior among Adolescents

Amir H. Pakpour, Cheng-Kuan Lin, Mahdi Safdari, Chung-Ying Lin, Shun-Hua Chen and Kyra Hamilton
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Amir H. Pakpour: Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 3419759811, Iran
Cheng-Kuan Lin: Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
Mahdi Safdari: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran
Chung-Ying Lin: Institute of Allied Health Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701401, Taiwan
Shun-Hua Chen: School of Nursing, Fooyin University, Kaohsiung 83102, Taiwan
Kyra Hamilton: School of Applied Psychology, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD 4122, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 23, 1-16

Abstract: Strengthening pro-environmental behaviors such as green purchasing behavior is important for environmental sustainability. An integrated social cognition model which incorporates constructs from habit theory, health action process approach (HAPA), and theory of planned behavior (TPB) is adopted to understand Iranian adolescents’ green purchasing behavior. Using a correlational-prospective design, the study recruited Iranian adolescents aged between 14 and 19 years (N = 2374, n = 1362 (57.4%) females, n = 1012 (42.6%) males; Mean (SD) age = 15.56 (1.22)). At baseline (T1), participants self-reported on the following constructs: past behavior; habit strength (from habit theory); action planning and coping planning (from HAPA); and intention, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and attitude (from TPB) with respect to green purchasing behavior. Six months later (T2), participants self-reported on their actions in terms of purchasing green goods. Our findings reported direct effects of perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, attitude, and past behavior on intention; intention and perceived behavioral control on green purchase behavior; intention on two types of planning (i.e., action and coping planning); both types of planning on green purchase behavior; and past green purchase behavior and habits on prospectively measured green purchase behavior. These results indicate that adolescent green purchasing behavior is underpinned by constructs representing motivational, volitional, and automatic processes. This knowledge can help inform the development of theory-based behavior change interventions to improve green purchasing in adolescents, a key developmental period where climate change issues are salient and increased independence and demands in making self-guided decisions are needed.

Keywords: adolescence; green purchase; integrated models; health action process approach; theory of planned behavior; social cognition; habit (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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