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Bridging the Gap: Environmental Health Literacy as Key to Adolescent Well-Being and Sustainable Behaviors

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Listed:
  • Margarida Gaspar de Matos

    (Faculty of Human Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
    APPsyCI—Applied Psychology and Social Change Research Center, ISPA University Institute, 1149-041 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Cátia Branquinho

    (Faculty of Human Sciences, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Leonor Domingos

    (ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Fábio Botelho Guedes

    (Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
    HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Ana Cerqueira

    (Católica Research Centre for Psychological, Family and Social Wellbeing, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 1649-023 Lisbon, Portugal
    ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
    HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Tania Gaspar

    (ISAMB/Aventura Social, Lisbon University, 1649-026 Lisbon, Portugal
    HEI-Lab, Lusófona University, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

Adolescents who possess environmental health literacy are more equipped to handle the effects of the environment on their health. This study uses data from Portugal’s 2022 HBSC survey to investigate the environmental health literacy (EHL) of teenagers. The Environmental Health Literacy Scale (EHLS) was verified by confirmatory component analysis. Within the framework of an ecosystem, this study investigates factors related to health and well-being. There are 7355 adolescents in the sample. EHLS_Social Norms and participation in volunteering activities were found to be significant predictors of EHL_Knowledge, which explained 25.2% of the variance in the final model. EHLS_Social Norms and EHLS_Knowledge accounted for 42.9% of the variance in EHL_Behaviors, while school grade was adversely connected with pro-environmental behavior. While actions and knowledge were major positive predictors, gender and school grades showed negative relationships, and EHL_Social Norms accounted for 46% of the variance. This study establishes a valid measure of environmental health literacy in adolescents, informing science education strategies and public health interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Margarida Gaspar de Matos & Cátia Branquinho & Leonor Domingos & Fábio Botelho Guedes & Ana Cerqueira & Tania Gaspar, 2025. "Bridging the Gap: Environmental Health Literacy as Key to Adolescent Well-Being and Sustainable Behaviors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:8:p:3594-:d:1635978
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kathleen M. Gray, 2018. "From Content Knowledge to Community Change: A Review of Representations of Environmental Health Literacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Kathryn M. Cardarelli & Melinda Ickes & Luz Huntington-Moskos & Craig Wilmhoff & Angela Larck & Susan M. Pinney & Ellen J. Hahn, 2021. "Authentic Youth Engagement in Environmental Health Research and Advocacy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    3. Chris Roberts & J. Freeman & O. Samdal & C. Schnohr & M. Looze & S. Nic Gabhainn & R. Iannotti & M. Rasmussen, 2009. "The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: methodological developments and current tensions," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 54(2), pages 140-150, September.
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