Fostering a Green Generation: Associations between Core Values and Pro-Environmental Behavioral Intentions among College Students

Arina Shabrina(1*),Aulia Zakiyah Almardiyah(2),Taufan Dwirajasa(3),Shafa Hasna Zahidah(4)
(1) Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung
(2) Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung
(3) Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung
(4) Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universitas Muhammadiyah Bandung
(*) Corresponding Author
DOI : 10.20527/ecopsy.2026.04.001

Abstract

Human activities exacerbate environmental degradation and climate change. Pro-environmental behavior can help mitigate these effects, and intention is a key predictor of such behavior. This study examined the associations between basic values and intentions to engage in pro-environmental behavior among university students. An online survey was conducted with 127 students using the Indonesian version of the Portrait Values Questionnaire (PVQ-40) and a pro-environmental behavior intention scale. Universalism and self-direction were weakly and positively correlated with pro-environmental intentions, whereas hedonism and power were weakly and negatively correlated. These findings indicate that basic values are related to pro-environmental intentions, although only selected values showed significant associations. In particular, values within self-transcendence and openness to change were associated with pro-environmental intentions. Interventions that seek to strengthen pro-environmental behavior should therefore foster concern for others, concern for nature, and openness to new ideas.

 

Keywords


Pro-environmental behavior, Climate change mitigation, Basic human values.

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Submited : 20 June 2025
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