Mindfully green: Examining the effect of connectedness to nature on the relationship between mindfulness and engagement in pro-environmental behavior

Abstract

Mindfulness reflects heightened awareness and attention to the present moment, in both experience and behavior. Research has begun to examine mindfulness in the domain of pro-environmental behavior, and documents positive relationships with connectedness to nature, and engagement in pro-environmental behavior. Two independent studies with two different samples were conducted to test the study hypotheses. It was hypothesized that mindfulness would be significantly correlated with self-reported pro-environmental behavior (Hypothesis 1) and that that connectedness to nature indirectly affects the relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behavior (Hypothesis 2). Participants completed measures of mindfulness across five facets, connectedness to nature, and their engagement in 17 daily pro-environmental behaviors. Results support Hypothesis 1 in that mindfulness is significantly associated with pro-environmental behavior (Studies 1 and 2). Results also support Hypothesis 2 in that connectedness to nature indirectly affects the relationship between mindfulness and pro-environmental behavior (Studies 1 and 2). Post hoc analyses reveal that the facets of observing and nonreactivity are particularly important in the context of pro-environmental behavior (Study 2). We discuss these findings as they relate to the conceptualization of mindfulness as a means of behavioral regulation.