Submission Type
Poster
Abstract
Previous studies show that life satisfaction predicts environmentally friendly behaviors. Mayer and Frantz view connectedness to nature as a potential component of life satisfaction, so in this way, we can view life satisfaction as a related component to environmentalism. But mediators and the relationship between this relationship are unclear. This led to the hypothesis that life satisfaction would predict environmentally friendly behaviors through personal distress and empathetic concern. This was tested with a sample of college students at a public liberal arts college who completed a questionnaire with various empathetic and environmental measures and scales. Results confirmed the hypothesis and indicated that this was the only significant pathway involving these mediators, with no direct effects between life satisfaction and environmentally friendly behaviors. Life satisfaction is negatively correlated with personal distress, however personal distress, empathetic concern and environmentally behaviors are in sequence, positively correlated to each other. This provides data in need of further study on how life satisfaction–which is usually correlated to environmentally friendly behavior–can be mediated by variables that change the effects of this relationship.
Recommended Citation
Gaboury, Alex and Carvalho, Anthony, "256 - The Pathway Between Life Satisfaction and Environmentally Friendly Behavior Mediated Through Personal Distress and Empathetic Concern" (2025). GREAT Day Posters. 79.
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/great-day-symposium/great-day-2025/posters-2025/79
256 - The Pathway Between Life Satisfaction and Environmentally Friendly Behavior Mediated Through Personal Distress and Empathetic Concern
Previous studies show that life satisfaction predicts environmentally friendly behaviors. Mayer and Frantz view connectedness to nature as a potential component of life satisfaction, so in this way, we can view life satisfaction as a related component to environmentalism. But mediators and the relationship between this relationship are unclear. This led to the hypothesis that life satisfaction would predict environmentally friendly behaviors through personal distress and empathetic concern. This was tested with a sample of college students at a public liberal arts college who completed a questionnaire with various empathetic and environmental measures and scales. Results confirmed the hypothesis and indicated that this was the only significant pathway involving these mediators, with no direct effects between life satisfaction and environmentally friendly behaviors. Life satisfaction is negatively correlated with personal distress, however personal distress, empathetic concern and environmentally behaviors are in sequence, positively correlated to each other. This provides data in need of further study on how life satisfaction–which is usually correlated to environmentally friendly behavior–can be mediated by variables that change the effects of this relationship.
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