Background: Anthropogenic plastic pollution poses a severe global threat; however, this study aimed to investigate the synergistic role of nature connectedness and mindfulness in shaping awareness of single-use plastic pollution among university students. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study assessed nature connectedness and mindfulness in ۱۴۰ students in Isfahan, Iran. A Generalized Additive Model (GAM) was employed to examine nonlinear relationships. Both constructs were measured on a ۵-point Likert scale and standardized to a ۰-۱ scale. Results: Nature connectedness and mindfulness interacted nonlinearly (edf > ۱.۰۰) to predict risk perception, explaining ۷۳.۵% of the variance (R۲ = ۰.۷۳۵). Mindfulness significantly moderated the effect of nature connectedness, with nonlinear patterns showing a complex relationship. The effect of nature connectedness (mean ۳.۱ ± ۱.۴) was amplified by mindfulness (mean ۳.۳ ± ۱.۲), achieving ۱۰۰% statistical power. Conclusion: These findings underscore the synergistic role of nature connectedness and mindfulness in enhancing pollution sensitivity. Although context-specific to Isfahan, the results offer novel insights for environmental psychology. Practically, universities in Isfahan can implement nature-based interventions and mindfulness training to elevate risk perception, targeting students’ moderate nature connectedness and high mindfulness to reduce plastic use, directly shaping campus sustainability policies and curbing single-use plastic waste in Iran’s urban context.

کلیدواژه ها:

Students ، Mindfulness ، Environmental Pollution ، Attitudes ، Plastics