From Nature to Nurture: How Does Environmental Education Link with Adolescent Problem Behaviors through Nature Connectedness and Self-Control
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| Title: | From Nature to Nurture: How Does Environmental Education Link with Adolescent Problem Behaviors through Nature Connectedness and Self-Control |
|---|---|
| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Weilin Xu (ORCID |
| Source: | Youth & Society. 2026 58(5):784-808. |
| Availability: | SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub.com |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 25 |
| Publication Date: | 2026 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research |
| Education Level: | Secondary Education Junior High Schools Middle Schools |
| Descriptors: | Secondary School Students, Environmental Education, Student Behavior, Behavior Problems, Self Management, Outdoor Education, Physical Environment, Environmental Influences, Foreign Countries |
| Geographic Terms: | China |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251392252 |
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| Abstract: | This study recruited 2,361 secondary students (M(age) = 15.08) to examine links between environmental education and adolescent problem behaviors, focusing on nature connectedness as a mediator and self-control as a moderator. Results showed environmental education was negatively correlated with problem behaviors (rs = -0.25, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-0.29, -0.22]); nature connectedness mediated this link (ab = -0.04, 95% CI [-0.06, -0.03]); and self-control moderated the nature connectedness-problem behaviors association (β = 0.05, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.08]), weakening the negative relation at higher self-control. These findings highlight environmental education's potential protective role in reducing adolescent problem behaviors and the importance of fostering nature connectedness while considering self-control differences in interventions. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2026 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1509091 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | This study recruited 2,361 secondary students (M(age) = 15.08) to examine links between environmental education and adolescent problem behaviors, focusing on nature connectedness as a mediator and self-control as a moderator. Results showed environmental education was negatively correlated with problem behaviors (rs = -0.25, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-0.29, -0.22]); nature connectedness mediated this link (ab = -0.04, 95% CI [-0.06, -0.03]); and self-control moderated the nature connectedness-problem behaviors association (β = 0.05, p < 0.01, 95% CI [0.01, 0.08]), weakening the negative relation at higher self-control. These findings highlight environmental education's potential protective role in reducing adolescent problem behaviors and the importance of fostering nature connectedness while considering self-control differences in interventions. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 0044-118X 1552-8499 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/0044118X251392252 |
