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Abstract
Place attachment, the emotional, functional, and cognitive bond that an individual has with a specific setting may play a role in an individual's choice to engage in environmentally-responsible behavior. This is particularly true for behaviors which directly benefit the place that the individual has a positive attachment with. This study examines the relationship between place attachment and pro-environment behavioral intentions. Utilizing Likert-type scales to measure these phenomena, this study found place attachment to be a strong and positive predictor of place-specific proenvironmental intentions. Additionally, place attachment positively predicted individuals' planned engagement in environmentally-responsible behaviors associated with their daily routines (e.g., recycling or investing in green companies). A causal relationship between place attachment and place-specific and general proenvironmental behaviors cannot be confirmed because of the cross-sectional nature of this study. Further research using longitudinal and experimental research designs are called for.
Parent Publication
Citation
Halpenny, Elizabeth. 2007. Examining the relationship of place attachment with pro-environmental intentions. In: Burns, R.; Robinson, K., comps. Proceedings of the 2006 Northeastern Recreation Research Symposium; 2006 April 9-11; Bolton Landing, NY. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-14. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 63-66.
