Factor Structure of Sustainability Awareness Among First-Year University Students in Japan and Its Impact on Environmentally Conscious Behavior: The Mediating Effect of SDG Education Experience and the Moderating Effect of Connection to Nature

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) education is being promoted to foster future leaders of a sustainable society; however, the relationship between SDG education experiences and environmentally conscious behavior and the role of nature connectedness have not been sufficiently examined. This study examined the factor structure of the Sustainability Consciousness Questionnaire (SCQ), the mediating effect of sustainability consciousness, and the moderating effect of nature connectedness among 2347 first-year university students in Japan. Exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, mediation analysis, and moderation analysis confirmed a three-factor structure of the SCQ (Global Sustainability Attitude, Social Norm and Ethics, Daily Environmental Action). A significant partial mediating effect of sustainability consciousness (B = 0.120, 95% CI [0.094, 0.149]) and a significant moderating effect of nature connectedness (p = 0.011) were observed in the relationship between SDG education experience and environmentally conscious behavior; the stronger the connection with nature, the greater the effect of SDG education on behavior. These findings empirically demonstrate the mechanism through which SDG education experiences lead to environmentally conscious behavior and the moderating role of nature connectedness, contributing to sustainability consciousness research and Education for Sustainable Development. These results suggest the importance of fostering psychological connections with nature alongside knowledge provision.