Examining the Relationship between Perceived Environmental Identity and Pro-Environmental Behaviors among Students at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences

Background: Individuals with a strong environmental identity are deeply connected to and dependent on the natural world, which influences their perceptions of both nature and themselves. This study aims to examine the relationship between perceived environmental identity and pro-environmental behaviors among students at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In ۲۰۲۴, a descriptive study was conducted involving ۴۵۳ students from Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using an online questionnaire assessing environmental identity and pro-environmental behaviors and were analyzed using SPSS version ۲۳. A significance level of less than ۰.۰۵ was considered. Results: In the present study, ۵۳% of the participants were male. The mean score for environmental identity was ۸۱.۳۴ ± ۱۴.۳۶, while the mean score for pro-environmental behaviors was ۵۶.۵۲ ± ۱۶.۹۶ on a scale of ۱۰۰. A statistically significant correlation was found between environmental identity and pro-environmental behaviors (r = ۰.۵۵۲, p < ۰.۰۰۱). Female participants had significantly higher mean scores in both pro-environmental behaviors and environmental identity (p < ۰.۰۵). The educational level also showed a significant relationship with pro-environmental behaviors and environmental identity (p < ۰.۰۵). Conclusion: While students exhibited a strong environmental identity, their pro-environmental behaviors were average. Health authorities should identify the barriers to these behaviors and design and implement awareness campaigns to enhance environmental health literacy among students.

کلیدواژه ها:

Environmental identity ، Pro-Environmental behaviors ، Student