Dimensions Of Place Attachment Research Articles

Airbnb Versus Hotel Guests: Proenvironmental Behaviors, Place Attachment, and Environmental Concern

The Airbnb business plays a significant role in connecting visitors to the local community and promoting the protection of the local environment. However, little research has focused on the proenvironmental behaviors (PEBs) of Airbnb guests. This study aims to investigate the differences in PEBs between hotel guests and Airbnb guests by examining a conceptual model that incorporates place attachment, environmental concern, and PEBs. An online survey involving 254 hotel guests and 259 Airbnb guests was conducted. The findings revealed that place attachment significantly predicted visitors’ environmental concern and PEBs. The results of the mediation analysis further demonstrated that environmental concern played a significant role as a mediator between place attachment and PEBs. Additionally, the invariance test indicated that place dependence had a stronger impact on environmental concerns among Airbnb guests than hotel guests. These findings highlight the distinct roles of place attachment dimensions in shaping PEBs between the two groups.

Understanding Thai Tourists' Meaning-Making of Attachment to Japan

This study investigated how Thai tourists interpret their attachment to Japan using a qualitative approach. Employing a four-dimensional framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 frequent Thai visitors to Japan. The narratives revealed all four dimensions of place attachment: place identity, place dependence, place social bonding, and place affect. Japan emerged as a unique destination offering irreplaceable travel experiences. Place dependence was most significant in fostering attachment, while place affect was an accumulation of the other three dimensions. The study found that attachment resulted from a combination of diverse factors rather than a single cause. It underscores the role of place attachment in promoting repeat visits and destination loyalty, providing insights to enhance Japan's tourism appeal. However, the reliance on qualitative methods limits generalizability. Future research should explore attachment in non-visitors, the longevity of attachment, and factors reducing attachment to a place.

Using the tripartite model of place attachment to understand bequest intentions among family forest landowners in Georgia, United States

ABSTRACT Family forest landowners own 54% of forestland in Georgia. However, most forest landowners are older than 65 years, and it is unclear what will happen to these forests when they can no longer care for their land. We apply the tripartite model of place attachment to assess the roles of person, place, and process dimensions concerning forest landowners’ future bequest intentions. Using data from 1,143 family forest landowners in Georgia, we find that the person dimension is the strongest predictor for wanting to keep the forestland in the family. Being involved in the process of forestland management is also a significant but weaker predictor, while the role of the place itself seems less important. Place attachment dimensions are more robust predictors for bequest intentions than any other control variable. These findings shed new light on bequest intentions and could inform future developments of family forest landownership.

Enhancing brand loyalty through LGBTQ+ influencers: a study on the impact of firm-generated content in inclusive marketing strategies

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of firm-generated content (FGC) on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) influencers, focussing on inclusive marketing strategies and enquires the ability of LGBTQ+ influencers to enhance brand engagement and loyalty within diverse communities.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative approach was utilized, and data was collected via social media platforms. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was employed to explore the relationships between FGC, influencer content, dimensions of place attachment and brand loyalty.FindingsAccording to the findings FGC positively influences LGBTQ+ influencers, which in turn affect in a significant way place identity and place social bonding. Both dimensions of place attachment were found to have a positive impact on brand loyalty, which indicate that LGBTQ+ influencers have an important role in enhancing brand engagement through inclusive marketing.Practical implicationsFirms in order to increase their brand loyalty and customer engagement, need to adopt inclusive marketing strategies that resonate with LGBTQ+ communities. In order to do so they need to work with LGBTQ+ influencers that can effectively communicate the brand’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, thus fostering a stronger emotional connection with the brand.Originality/valueThis study introduces a conceptual framework that highlights the mediator role of place attachment in the relationship between influencer marketing and brand loyalty. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the effectiveness of leveraging LGBTQ+ influencers in inclusive marketing campaigns.

The influence of place attachment and emotional solidarity on residents’ involvement in tourism: perspectives from Orlando, Florida

PurposeUsing the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) model as a theoretical guide, this study employed a conceptual model involving residents’ place attachment (S) to the destination in which they live and emotional solidarity with tourists (O) as precursors to their involvement in tourism (R). The purpose of this paper is threefold: To determine (1) whether residents’ place attachment explains their emotional solidarity with tourists, (2) if emotional solidarity is an effective predictor of residents’ involvement in tourism planning and development and (3) if emotional solidarity dimensions mediate the relationship between place attachment and involvement.Design/methodology/approachData were collected from 378 permanent resident heads of households living in, or adjacent to, central Orlando, using a self-administered survey with a census-guided systematic sampling method. Data were subjected to tests of normality and common method bias, followed by a two-step confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.FindingsSeven of the 11 proposed model hypotheses were supported, with moderate variances explained in each of the four outcome variables: welcoming nature (R2 = 19.3%), emotional closeness (R2 = 24.5%), sympathetic understanding (R2 = 39.4%) and involvement (R2 = 36.8%). Though both place identity and place dependence (as two dimensions of place attachment) were partial mediators, the former proved to be more pronounced.Originality/valueThis study employed non-economic measures—place attachment and emotional solidarity—in determining residents’ involvement in tourism within their community. Such an approach provides fresh insights into how such symbolic constructs can contribute to residents’ positive, actionable involvement in tourism. This research is one of the few that have incorporated emotional solidarity as a construct within the SOR model and the first to examine the indirect effects (through mediation) of emotional solidarity.

Place attachment mediates links between pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors among visitors to Mt. Bukhan National Park, South Korea.

Efforts to understand visitors' participation in pro-environmental behaviors (PEB) are important for protected area management. Previous research in nature-based recreation settings suggests environmental attitudes may affect PEB, and that these relationships might be mediated by different dimensions of place attachment (place identity and place dependence). We used structural equation modeling to test the mediating effect of hikers' place attachment in the relationship between environmental attitudes and PEBs that occur within (on-site) and outside a protected area (off-site): Mt. Bukhan National Park in South Korea. Results showed that cognitive (environmental knowledge) and affective (environmental sensitivity) components of environmental attitudes were significant predictors for place attachment. Place identity was linked to off-site PEB, while place dependence was a key antecedent for both off-site and on-site PEBs. Our findings could help researchers and practitioners better understand how place attachment forms and how it can impact outdoor recreationists' behavior, ultimately helping to promote PEBs and facilitate sustainable management goals.

The role of place attachment and spatial anxiety in environmental knowledge

Different factors have been suggested to explain why humans differ in how well and efficiently they acquire and use spatial knowledge about environments. However, the role of emotional variables has been scarcely investigated. Here, we aimed to explore the role of the emotional dimension in terms of the emotional bonds that individuals develop towards places (i.e., the emotional dimension of place attachment that is place identity) and spatial anxiety in explaining individual differences in different kinds of environmental knowledge. A sample of ninety-nine students at the Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro (UMG) were given self-report questionnaires probing place attachment, spatial anxiety, sense of direction, and familiarity with the UMG campus. They were also given three performance tasks probing landmark, route, and survey knowledge of the UMG campus. Correlational analyses showed a significant association between place identity and all the environmental knowledge tasks, while spatial anxiety was significantly associated only with the performance in the survey knowledge task. However, the logistic regression models suggested only a contribution of place identity to landmark knowledge and no effect of spatial anxiety when familiarity and the self-reported sense of direction were considered. We propose that the emotional bond with a place could have a positive effect only in retrieving the visual features of navigational objects (i.e., landmarks), but future studies should expand on the topic with research paradigms involving the actual navigation of a real environment.

Place attachment promotes pro-environmental behaviors: The mediating role of nature relatedness

Residents’ participation in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) is critical for addressing environmental problems and promoting sustainable development. Place attachment (PA) may play a key role in motivating residents’ pro-environment behaviors, yet the mechanisms of this relationship remain ambiguous. This study integrated natural relatedness (NR) into the research to deepen understanding of its mechanism. Using data collected in Beijing (n = 648), we found that place attachment positively and significantly influences pro-environmental behaviors through nature relatedness. Place attachment significantly affected pro-environmental behaviors. The Place attachment dimensions, including place identity (PI), natural bonding (NB), and social bonding (SB), had a significant prediction on pro-environmental behaviors. Specifically, natural bonding plays the most effective effect. However, place dependence (PD) was negatively correlated with pro-environmental behaviors. This study provides guidelines for local governments and policymakers to promote residents’ pro-environmental behaviors and improve environmental management.

THE MEDIATING EFFECT OF PLACE ATTACHMENT ON ATTITUDE TOWARD AGING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Abstract Psychological well-being has become a social challenge for vulnerable older adults and age-friendly cities/communities has been a key aging policy focusing on environmental factors to enhance well-being in Taiwan. However, how older adults perceive their living environments and whether it is important when advocating older adults’ positive attitudes toward aging leading to psychological well-being remains unknown. One of the place attachment dimensions is psychological attachment which has attracted attention in planning for aging in place and age-friendly communities (Aliakbarzadeh et al., 2021; 2022). This study aims to investigate whether psychological attachment mediated the relationship between attitudes toward aging and psychological well-being among community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan. A faced-to-faced interview of 306 individuals aged 50 and over living in the community were interviewed. The Cronbach’s alpha of all scales was over 0.70 which showed good reliability. The associations and mediation effects were tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) and the model fitted the data adequately. After controlling for sex and age, the SEM findings demonstrated that the lower level of negative attitudes toward aging were significantly and positively associated with well-being (direct effect = 0.16, p <0.05). Furthermore, the lower level of negative attitudes toward aging was positively related with place attachment and consequently predicted better psychological well-being (indirect effect = 0.048, p = 0.034; total effect = 0.209, p= 0.003). We suggest that place attachment should be monitored in the policy of age-friendly communities while improving older adults’ positive attitudes toward aging leading to a better sense of well-being.

Can tourists become disciples? The formation and mechanism of place conversion in traditional Chinese villages.

Place attachment has been extensively studied in the field of tourism. However, it is important to recognize that place attachment alone may not fully capture the emotional expression of tourists' spiritual beliefs and their sense of belonging to a destination. Therefore, a more comprehensive attachment theory is needed to encompass higher dimensions. This article focuses on the ancient Chinese villages of Yantou, Cangpo, and Furong from a tourist perspective, and introduces genius loci in architectural phenomenology. We set out to expand the study of spiritual dimensions of place attachment on the basis of local attachment, redefining tourists' place connection and putting forward the new concept of place conversion. A qualitative analysis of online text using Rooting theory was conducted to condense 22 categories into 6 main categories and establish a model. The study shows that the mechanism of place conversion is composed of situational perception (place perception and place identity), physical and mental immersion (spatio-temporal immersion and place conversion), and behavioral willingness (tourists intention and conversion behavior). The study has implications for the conservation and development of traditional villages and future research on the spiritual experiences of tourists.

Incorporating diverse voices in geoconservation in Portland, Jamaica

Abstract Sites of geological relevance in East Portland are representative of the geological history of Jamaica and are important to elucidate Caribbean geotectonic evolution. Geological significance overlaps with natural and cultural heritage of international relevance, especially related to Maroon communities. In this region, the Jamaican highest peak rises steeply from sea level; the ocean is the focus of important conservation efforts. This study employs an interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore place attachment as experienced by East Portland residents. We engaged in conversations with 16 diverse community members through interviews and a focus group. Two dimensions of place attachment emerged: place identity and place dependence, showing that East Portland is home to people who depend on, identify with and are committed to protecting nature. We present an approach to mapping place attachment, which resulted in an important tool of analysis when overlapping with layers of information like geoheritage. The geological significance, natural and cultural richness and the connections the locals have with nature make East Portland an ideal prototype for geoconservation. This study also reveals that attachment to a place does not necessarily correspond to attachment to geoscientific significance; for common meanings to emerge, geoscientists and locals must collaborate.

Place Attachment and Aging in Place: Preferences and Disruptions.

This paper examines the links between place attachment and older persons' preferences to age in place, and factors that disrupt these preferences. We use data from the 2001-2021 Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey and panel-data modelling to confirm strong associations between several place attachment dimensions and aging-in-place preferences. Strong ties to children, strong social capital, residence in social housing, homeownership status, housing wealth, and home and neighborhood satisfaction are all positively linked to a stronger preference to age in place. Our findings reveal important differences between older homeowners and older non-owners. For owners, closeness to children is a strong predictor of aging-in-place preferences, although mortgage debt can trigger involuntary moves. For non-owners, tenure security achieved through longer durations at one's address of residence is linked to stronger aging-in-place preferences. However, private renters are more often exposed to involuntary moves. We discuss the policy implications of these disruptions.

Place Attachment, Self-Efficacy, and Farmers’ Farmland Quality Protection Behavior: Evidence from China

Farmland pollution severely threatens humanity’s sustainable development. Exploring farmland quality protection behavior (FQPB) from the farmers’ perspective is considered one of the best ways to solve the farmland pollution problem. This study develops a theoretical framework for farmers’ FQPB from the perspectives of place attachment (consisting of place identity, dependency, and affection) and self-efficacy. We conducted a primary survey of 412 corn farmers from the northwestern Chinese province of Gansu and empirically examined the effects of place attachment and self-efficacy on farmers’ FQPB and verified the moderating effects that self-efficacy exerts on the influence of place attachment on FQPB by using hierarchical regression and propensity score matching models. The results indicate that: (1) among the three dimensions of place attachment, farmers with stronger place identity and place affection are more likely to implement FQPB; conversely, farmers who exhibit stronger place dependency are less likely to engage FQPB; and (2) self-efficacy not only effectively promotes farmers’ FQPB but also has an enhancing effect on the influence of place identity and place affection on FQPB. Our results suggest that policymakers should encourage farmers to maintain a place’s image and guide farmers to participate in place construction; thus, farmers’ place identity and place affection can be fostered. Meanwhile, the government should diversify the income sources of farmers to reduce their dependency on a single source. The finding that self-efficacy effectively promotes FQPB also implied that the formulation of farmland quality protection policies should shift from traditional command-based policies to participatory approaches, utilizing the initiative of farmers to enhance the policy’s effectiveness, which can not only promote farmers’ FQPB through self-efficacy but also strengthen the positive influence of place identity and place affection on FQPB.

The Influence of Place Attachment on Farmers’ Succession Plans: A Mixed Methods Study

A farm family’s land succession plan is vital to ensure that high-value farmland continues to benefit the family for generations to come. However, many farmers have been reluctant to develop succession plans. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of place attachment on farmers’ land succession planning. This exploratory mixed methods research involved farmers within 10 years of retirement age (55 years of age or older), both with and without a land succession plan. Surveys and interviews utilized Raymond, Brown, and Weber’s (2010) five dimensions of place attachment: place identity, place dependence, nature bonding, family bonding, and friend bonding. Survey results showed farmers with a succession plan had significantly higher place identity, place dependence, nature bonding, and overall place attachment than farmers without a succession plan. Seven themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of interviews of farmers with a succession plan and six themes emerged from interviews of farmers without a succession plan. Three themes: connection to family, sense of community, and enjoyment of the outdoors were held in common. This study adds to the literature exploring the complex factors affecting the transition of the family farm to the next generation.

Built environment usability and freshmen’s coping skills: the mediating effect of place attachment

ABSTRACT The current study identifies the mediating effect of place identity and place dependence, dimensions of Place Attachment (PA), on the relationship between Built Environment Usability (BEU) (walkability, control, accessibility, wayfinding) and college Freshmen’s Coping Skills (FCS). Additionally, the differences between native and non-native freshmen regarding PA and coping skills are evaluated. Collected data from surveying 360 freshmen were analyzed using bootstrapping method in Hayes SPSS Process Macron. Results demonstrated a 69% direct effect of BEU on FCS, having ‘wayfinding' as the most influential factor. The partial mediation model is established, with place identity accounting for approximately 52% and place dependence for 78% of the BEU impact on FCS. There is also a significant difference concerning coping skills and PA between native and non-native freshmen. While shedding light on the importance of inclusive design in the college environment, the present outcomes provide a design framework to enhance FCS and PA. Highlights College environment’s walkability, control, accessibility and wayfinding should be considered to provide a usable and inclusive design. Wayfinding is the most influential built environment usability factor on freshmen’s coping skills. Built environment usability’s impact on freshmen’s coping skills is partially mediated by place attachment. Native and non-native freshmen’s coping skills and place attachment differs significantly.

Impacts of residential environment on residents' place attachment, satisfaction, WOM, and pro-environmental behavior: evidence from the Korean housing industry.

This study considers seven residential environment elements and examines their effect on residents' place attachment (place dependence and place identity), satisfaction, word-of-mouth behavior, and pro-environmental behavior. The study also examines whether gender moderates the proposed relationships. The data were collected from 603 respondents who owned a condominium in Seoul, South Korea. We analyzed the data using structural equation modeling with SmartPLS 4. The finding shows that all seven elements of the residential environment have a significant impact on either dimension of place attachment, except for the insignificant effect of social environment on place dependence. Both dimensions of place attachment have a significant effect on satisfaction, WOM, and pro-environmental behavior except for the insignificant effect of place dependence on pro-environmental behavior. The interaction effect test of gender shows that males consider eco-friendly materials and green/recreational areas more than females. On the other hand, females are found to weigh and social environments more heavily than males. The finding shows that pro-environmental behavior is influenced by place identity (not by place dependence) and satisfaction, indicating a key role of affective response.

Investigating the link between place attachment, civic engagement, and pro-environmental behaviors

This study aimed to investigate the impact of place attachment and civic engagement on pro-environmental behavior, with place attachment being examined from an individual perspective, and civic engagement being examined from a social perspective. Therefore, in addition to assessing the degree of place attachment, we also examined its effect on residents’ civic engagement and pro-environmental behavior the study was conducted using a questionnaire to collect data from people over 18 years of age living in the Eram neighborhood, with 240 responses being used for analysis after removing 25 incomplete or biased answers. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis revealed that place attachment is a second-order construct composed of place dependence, place identity, emotional attachment, and social attachment, and that pro-environmental behavior is a second-order factor composed of household behavior, information seeking, and transportation. The results showed that all four dimensions of place attachment have good means and that place attachment and civic engagement positively affect pro-environmental behavior. The Sobel test confirms that the effect of place attachment on pro-environmental behavior is significant through the mediation of civic engagement. This study confirms that feeling attached to the local area encourages participating in voluntary social activities in line with pro-environmental behaviors.

A Systematic Literature Review of Applied Methods for Assessing the Effects of Public Open Spaces on Immigrants’ Place Attachment

Moving to a new country is often combined with issues such as stress and a sense of loss that affect the overall well-being of immigrants. Furthermore, immigrants have not yet developed strong attachments to the country and, more specifically, to the places in which they will settle. Researchers have already discussed the role of the built environment for well-being and the sense of belonging and attachment it can provide, specifically through public open spaces, such as parks, squares, etc. These problems are worldwide, and the World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends creating public places that improve human health, well-being, and social inclusion. Moreover, at local levels, designers and urbanists must understand how to evaluate the relationship between immigrants’ place attachment and public places in order to improve the design of these places. Consequently, this study reviewed methods used to understand the effects of public open spaces on immigrants’ attachment. A systematic quantitative literature review was conducted, and a total of 26 articles were extracted relating to immigrants’ place attachment and public open spaces. Research locations, participants’ nationalities, the types of public open spaces, the methods applied, and place attachment evaluations were retrieved from the articles and analysed. The results show that evaluating immigrants’ place attachment presents many challenges, and there is no consensus on what approaches are best practices. However, qualitative methods were most applied in human–environment interactions, and immigrants’ place attachments were primarily assessed based on their social bonds in public open spaces. To conclude, a framework was designed to understand how immigrants’ place attachment was evaluated in the reviewed literature, and the dimensions of place attachment were defined.

Place attachment and walking behaviour: Mediation by perceived neighbourhood walkability

The urban design features of a location are important for facilitating people’s attachment to places. Attachment to particular places, such as residential neighbourhoods, may encourage people to adopt and maintain physical activity routines. Moreover, the ways in which people perceive the built features in their neighbourhood (e.g., neighbourhood walkability) may mediate the relations between place attachment and physical activity behaviour. Therefore, this exploratory study examined the associations between place attachment and neighbourhood-specific physical activity and explored the extent to which perceived neighbourhood walkability mediates these associations. The study included data from 1,800 adults living in Calgary, Canada. Place attachment (including identity and dependence), physical activity, and neighbourhood walkability were self-reported using validated tools. Linear and logistic regression models were applied to estimate the associations between variables. Mediation was assessed using structural equation modelling. Place attachment dimensions were significantly positively associated (p < 0.05) with weekly participation (odds) and time spent walking for transport and recreation. The associations between place attachment and walking for transport were also mediated by perceived neighbourhood walkability. Together, these findings emphasise the crucial role of place attachment, particularly human bonding and relationships with the neighbourhood environment , in supporting physically active lifestyles and promoting public health.

A model of leisure involvement, residential satisfaction, and place attachment in passive older migrants

Although the influence of mobility on place attachment has received attention in the literature, this relationship varies between groups. Unlike those who move to enjoy their retirement, for example, older migrants arriving in Shenzhen come to the city ‘passively,’ drawn by the needs of their children. This paper advances understanding of the concept of place attachment by illustrating the relationships between its components. Analysis of interview and questionnaire responses revealed the following relationships between three focal components of place attachment. Place dependence first directly influenced affective attachment and then indirectly affected place identity. Leisure involvement had a positive impact on place dependence and affective attachment but no direct effect on place identity. Residential satisfaction was an antecedent of all three focal dimensions of place attachment. No direct relationship was found between leisure involvement and residential satisfaction.