The Effect of Eco-Recreational and Environmental Attitudes on Environmental Behavior

The main purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of environmental (New Environmental Paradigm) and eco-recreational attitudes on environmental behavior using structural equation modeling (SEM). In the context of increasing environmental problems, individuals’ attitudinal and experiential relationships with the environment play a critical role in shaping sustainable environmental behaviors. In this context, a multidimensional model incorporating cognitive, affective, and behavioral orientations toward nature has been developed. In the study, environmental attitude was addressed in terms of environmentalist and human approaches, while eco-recreational attitude was addressed in terms of its cognitive, affective, and behavioral sub-dimensions. Environmental behavior was modeled as recycling efforts and responsible citizenship. Data were collected using validated scales and tested using SEM. The findings have revealed that both environmental and eco-recreational attitudes have direct effects on environmental behavior. The obtained results suggest that supporting individuals with nature-based experiences is considered to be an effective strategy for the development of environmentally conscious behaviors regarding environmental education and sustainability policies. Nevertheless, it bears several limitations, particularly in terms of its generalizability for diverse socio-demographic groups and cultural contexts. The contribution of this study is that it empirically demonstrates the mutually supportive and descriptive potential of environmental attitudes and eco-recreational attitudes in the process of behavioral transformation. The study makes a significant contribution to the theoretical discussions in the literature by revealing the integrated effect of environmental attitudes and eco-recreational attitudes in shaping environmental behavior.