Effects of Mothers’ Childhood Nature Experiences on Young Children’s Connectedness to Nature: The Mediating Role of Mothers’ Nature Connectedness Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the structural relationships among mothers’ childhood nature experiences, their nature-connectedness self-efficacy, and young children’s connectedness to nature. We also aimed to explore the mediating effects of mothers’ nature-connectedness self-efficacy on their childhood nature experiences and young children’s connectedness to nature.Methods: Data were collected from 414 mothers with young children aged three to five years. The scales used in this study were used for the first time in Korea. Data were analyzed based on frequency, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient with SPSS 25.0 software, Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied to analyze the mediating effects with the bootstrapping method and AMOS 28.0.Results: First, there were significant correlations between mothers’ childhood nature experiences, young children’s connectedness to nature and mothers’ nature connectedness self-efficacy. Second, SEM supported the hypothesized relations among mothers’ childhood nature experiences, mothers’ nature-connectedness self-efficacy, and young children’s connectedness after controlling for young children’s gender. It was also found that mothers’ nature-connectedness self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between mothers’ childhood nature experiences and young children’s connectedness to nature.Conclusion: This study revealed that mothers' childhood nature experiences and nature-connectedness self-efficacy predicted young children’s connectedness to nature. Developing connectedness to nature is essential for young children who are the main players in the era of a sustainable society. This study provides important basic data for policies or programs that promote the development of young children’s connectedness to nature by emphasizing the role of mothers' nature experiences and nature-connectedness self-efficacy.