Why residents exhibit environmentally responsible behavior?

Abstract

The main objective of the current research was to propose and validate an integral model encompassing mindfulness, enjoyment of nature, community attachment, community involvement, sustainable attitude, place attachment, and environmentally responsible behavior with the support of attitude–behavior theory. Measurement and structural models of the study were tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling with the help of 385 sample data. Mindfulness was discovered as the most important predictor of a sustainable attitude followed by community involvement, enjoyment of nature, and community attachment. Further, empirical findings discovered a positive and significant effect of residents' sustainable attitude on their place attachment. Finally, the study model confirmed residents’ place attachment as more important predictor of their environmentally responsible behavior than sustainable attitude. Proposals for future study areas and implications for destination managers and policymakers are reported.