MEDIATION ROLE OF INTENTION IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ATTITUDE-BEHAVIOR RELATIONSHIP

Abstract

The issues related to environmental quality have plagued the minds, harmony and well-being of all humankind. The mentioned environmental issues involve crucial aspects directly related to the behaviour and lifestyle of societies that prioritize economic and material development over environmental conservation for future generations. Therefore, this study aims to assess the role of intention in the relationship between attitude and environmental behaviour. A survey design with a quantitative approach was used in this study. The study focused on rural area located in contaminated river basins in the state of Terengganu. Using a cluster sampling technique, cross-sectional self-report data were collected from residents living within a 500-meter radius of Terengganu's categorized polluted river (n = 373). This study employed partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to evaluate the proposed relations between the variables. The findings indicated that intention was a mediating variable in the relationship between attitude and environmental behaviour. The results also discovered that the information exposure through media does not act as a moderator between intention and environmental behaviour. Raising environmental awareness and practicing sustainable behaviors are essential to strengthening a country's capacity for sustainable development and cultivate a responsible and environmentally concerned society.