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The Relationship between Environmental Factors, Satisfaction with Life, and Ecological Education: An Impact Analysis from a Sustainability Pillars Perspective

Author

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  • Andy Felix Jităreanu

    (Department of Agroeconomy, University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania)

  • Mioara Mihăilă

    (Department of Agroeconomy, University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania)

  • Ciprian-Ionel Alecu

    (“Gh. Zane” Institute for Economic and Social Research, Romanian Academy—Iași Branch, 700481 Iași, Romania)

  • Alexandru-Dragoș Robu

    (Department of Agroeconomy, University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania)

  • Gabriela Ignat

    (Department of Agroeconomy, University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania)

  • Carmen Luiza Costuleanu

    (Department of Agroeconomy, University of Life Sciences “Ion Ionescu de la Brad”, 700490 Iaşi, Romania)

Abstract

The paper analyzes the link between three concepts: environmental values, ecological behavior, and satisfaction with life. Various studies indicate the links between environmental values and ecological behavior, satisfaction with life, and pro-ecological behavior, but no connection between these three concepts. The paper aimed to develop such a research direction, namely sustainability as an integrative concept. The existence of a complex conceptual model between three specific constructs is analyzed. A questionnaire to 267 students from the universities of Iasi, Romania, was applied. To identify the existence of some equations between components, PLS-SEM and PLS-MGA methods were used, through SmartPLS3.9 and SPSS 18. The final model was a reflective-formative one on two hierarchical levels, being made up of 5 latent variables and 18 observed ones. Only the existence of significant equations between knowledge of environmental values and pro-ecological behavior and between knowledge of environmental values and satisfaction with life was highlighted. The multi-group analysis: although higher values are obtained among students from the rural compared to urban, there are no significant differences. The influence of knowledge of environmental values and ecological behavior on life satisfaction among students was highlighted. The results encourage the continuation of research on a larger population, from an extended area.

Suggested Citation

  • Andy Felix Jităreanu & Mioara Mihăilă & Ciprian-Ionel Alecu & Alexandru-Dragoș Robu & Gabriela Ignat & Carmen Luiza Costuleanu, 2022. "The Relationship between Environmental Factors, Satisfaction with Life, and Ecological Education: An Impact Analysis from a Sustainability Pillars Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:10679-:d:899239
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