Factors Influencing Energy-Saving Behavior in University Dormitories

Against the backdrop of global warming and energy crisis, research on building occupants' energy-saving behaviors holds significant importance. University buildings exhibit high energy consumption intensity, where student behaviors directly impact energy use efficiency. Existing literature predominantly focuses on the influence mechanisms of cognitive factors on energy-saving behaviors, while paying insufficient attention to affective factors. This study categorizes energy-saving related affective factors into two dimensions: positive affect (generated from performing energysaving behaviors) and negative affect (generated from failure to perform energy-saving behaviors). This research combined these affective factors with the Theory of Planned Behavior to create a new model, which was tested with 468 valid questionnaire responses using structural equation model. The main findings include: (1) Negative affect and intention directly influence energy-saving behavior. (2) Attitude, perceived behavioral control, positive affect and negative affect indirectly influence energysaving behaviors through the mediation of intention. (3) Subjective norms influence energy-saving intention through positive affec and indirectly influence behavior via the mediation of negative affect and intention. These findings provide new theoretical perspectives for understanding the psychological mechanisms underlying building occupants' energy-saving behaviors.