RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION, EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE, AND SUSTAINABLE BEHAVIOR CHANGE AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS IN BANGLADESH

Abstract

Bangladesh, like many other developing countries, faces various environmental challenges such as pollution, deforestation, and climate change, along with social and economic challenges like poverty and low levels of education. College students, being a significant proportion of the youth population, play a crucial role in shaping the future of Bangladesh and promoting sustainable development. However, the relationship between education, emotional intelligence, and sustainable behavior change among college students in Bangladesh remains poorly understood. This qualitative case study aims to investigate this relationship by exploring the perceptions and attitudes of college students towards sustainable behavior change, identifying the factors that influence such change, and examining the role of education and emotional intelligence in this process. Purposive sampling, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions were used for data collection, and thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that education is a key motivator for sustainable behavior change among college students in Bangladesh, as it raises awareness and knowledge about environmental issues. Emotional intelligence also plays a significant role in sustainable behavior change, as it helps develop empathy, self-awareness, and social skills. The study provides insights into effective strategies for promoting sustainable behavior change among college students in Bangladesh and highlights the need for incorporating education and emotional intelligence in sustainable development initiatives.