Investigating Predictors of Waste Separation Behavior and Behavioral Intention at Source: An Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) among Housewives

Introduction Managing municipal waste is argued to be one of the most significant environmental issues in developing countries. The present study seeks to address the predictors of waste separation behavior and behavioral intention based on The Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) among housewives in Tehran. Method Conducting a descriptive, cross-sectional study, ۳۲۶ questionnaires were distributed among housewives in an institutional district located in the North of Tehran in ۲۰۲۳. Furthermore, data collection was conducted via a developed and IBM based questionnaire. Demographic characteristics, environmental behavioral factors, behavioral intention, behavioral attitude, abstract norms, individual beliefs, perceived behavioral control and self-efficacy were the included constructs in the questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version ۲۴. Findings The mean age of the study participants was ۳۸.۹۶. Analysis of the behavioral intention of waste separation associating with integrated behavioral sub-scales’ questionnaire was conducted using regression method. The results indicated that waste separation behavior (p<۰.۰۰۰۱), environmental factor (p<۰.۰۰۰۱), and normative beliefs (p<۰.۰۰۰۱) were effective on the behavioral intention of waste separation score. The level of their increase on the aforementioned score were reported to be ۰.۶۵۵, ۰.۱۰۱, and ۰.۲۰۴, respectively (R۲=۰.۵۶۹). The history of waste separation training (p<۰.۰۰۰۱) and the spouses’ educational level (p=۰.۰۰۳) were found to be effective on the behavioral intention of waste separation score. Conclusion The present study concludes that both the behavior and the behavioral intention of waste separation among housewives are remarkably concerned with both the history of waste separation training at source .

کلیدواژه ها:

Waste Separation Behavior ، The Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) ، Institutional District.