Locus of Control: The Mediation Effect between Emotional Stability and Pro-Environmental Behavior

Yi-Te Chiang, Wei-Ta Fang, Ulas Kaplan and Eric Ng
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Yi-Te Chiang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
Wei-Ta Fang: Graduate Institute of Environmental Education, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei 11677, Taiwan
Ulas Kaplan: Human Development and Learning program, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
Eric Ng: School of Management and Enterprise, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Locus of control is a crucial factor in pro-environmental behavior. However, studies on pro-environmental behavior investigating the predisposing factors of internal locus of control are limited. Therefore, the objective of this study further explored the predisposing factors of locus of control and revealed that emotional stability may be a predisposing factor for internal locus of control and pro-environmental behavior. A questionnaire survey was conducted in Taiwan (n = 473) and the responses were explored using structural equation modeling path analysis. The results revealed that emotional stability can promote pro-environmental behavior through the mediation effect of internal locus of control, indicating that emotional stability is a predisposing factor for locus of control-generated pro-environmental behavior. Thus, the study results indicated that people with higher emotional stability and a stronger internal locus of control are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behavior. Hence, to promote pro-environmental behavior through environmental protection education, people’s self-control awareness must be strengthened to enable them to remain calm and peaceful.

Keywords: emotional stability; locus of control; pro-environmental behavior; structural equation modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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