Peer effect in pro-environmental behavior transition of adolescents: The dual moderating role of environmental responsibility and the Big Five personality

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of peers in adolescents’ behavioral development, empirical evidence clarifying how peers shape adolescents’ pro-environmental behavior remains limited. This study investigates the relationship between adolescents’ pro-environmental behavior and perceived ­peer pro-environmental behavior, focusing on the primary moderating role of environmental responsibility and the secondary moderating role of the Big Five ­personality. We recruited 2354 adolescents from China to complete the survey (Mage = 15.31 ± 1.86, 54.00% girls). The results indicated that perceived peer pro-­environmental behavior was closely related to pro-environmental behavior. Environmental responsibility moderated the relationship between perceived peer pro-environmental behavior and pro-environmental behavior. Higher levels of environmental responsibility were associated with a weaker influence of peers on adolescents’ pro-environmental behavior. Furthermore, the results also showed that the primary moderating effect of environmental responsibility became stronger as extraversion and conscientiousness increased. These findings offer valuable insights for fostering adolescents’ pro-environmental behavior.