The Potential Pro-Environmental Behavior Spillover Effects of Specialization in Environmentally Responsible Outdoor Recreation

Timothy J. Mateer (), Theresa N. Melton, Zachary D. Miller, Ben Lawhon, Jennifer P. Agans, Danielle F. Lawson, Kathryn J. Brasier and B. Derrick Taff
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Timothy J. Mateer: Department of Human Centered Design, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
Theresa N. Melton: Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, USA
Zachary D. Miller: Intermountain Regional Office, National Park Service, Lakewood, CO 80228, USA
Ben Lawhon: Recreation Solutions Group, Lyons, CO 80540, USA
Jennifer P. Agans: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Danielle F. Lawson: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Kathryn J. Brasier: Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
B. Derrick Taff: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-20

Abstract: Outdoor recreationists represent a key population to educate for pro-environmental behavior (PEB). Given that previous research has found a mixed relationship between outdoor recreation and PEB, this research merges several concepts to better understand the social psychological nuances of this relationship. Specifically, this study explores how specialization regarding environmentally responsible outdoor recreation is related to other PEBs through a behavioral spillover framework. A correlational structural equation model was utilized to test this framework within a merged population of individuals from the Leave No Trace organization and general United States citizens. The results suggested that traditional behavioral spillover dynamics held for private PEBs but not public PEBs. However, recreation specialization was significantly related to both PEB types. These results suggest that the current behavioral spillover theory may only explain the relationship between some PEBs. Furthermore, environmentally responsible outdoor recreation specialization may be a promising pathway toward a spillover into encouraging private and public PEBs.

Keywords: outdoor recreation; pro-environmental behavior; behavioral spillover; recreation specialization; environmental identity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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