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Environment and Social Psychology (2024) Volume 9 Issue 10
doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
1
Research Article
Influence of mindfulness on environmental satisfaction among young
adults: mediating role of environmental identity
Zartashia Kynat Javaid1, Kamran Khan2, Muhammad Kamran3, Sarfraz Aslam4,*
1Department of Applied Psychology, Government College University, Faisalabad, 54000, Pakistan
2Department of Management Sciences, COMSATS University, Islamabad, 45550, Pakistan
3Department of Education, University of Loralai, Balochistan, 84820, Pakistan
4Faculty of Education and Humanities, UNITAR International University,47300, Malaysia
*Corresponding author: Sarfraz Aslam, sarfraz.aslam@unitar.my Lar
ABSTRACT
This study aims to analyze the relationship between mindfulness, environmental satisfaction, and environmental
identity of adults. A sample of 367 adults was recruited using convenient sampling, and data were collected through
online surveys. A quantitative analysis was carried out with SMART PLS-SEM to explore the structural relationships
between these variables. The results demonstrated that mindfulness is significantly correlated with both environmental
satisfaction and environmental identity, with environmental identity serving as a significant mediator between
mindfulness and environmental satisfaction. These findings suggest that individuals with higher levels of mindfulness
tend to have greater environmental satisfaction and a more robust environmental identity. The study highlights the
importance of mindfulness in promoting environmental responsibility and suggests that mindfulness can enhance
adults' affinity with nature and pro-environmental behaviors. This research contributes to the current understanding of
the psychological determinants of environmental attitudes and behaviors, offering valuable insights for policymakers
and practitioners aiming to foster environmental actions.
Keywords: mindfulness; environmental satisfaction; environmental identity; young adults
1. Introduction
Determinants of the psychological factors responsible for basic access to environmental perception are
vital for creating appropriate strategies and tactics for environmental enlightenment and posterity. However,
despite the growing number of studies in the field, the existing literature in this area still lacks sufficient
research on the relationship between mindfulness, environmental satisfaction, and environmental identity,
especially in Pakistan. Mindfulness is awareness of one's internal states and surroundings that is associated
with environmental satisfaction in which an individual can set the level of unity and their actual experience
of the physical-spatial characteristics of a specific place and linked with environmental identity that
demonstrates the extent to which people perceive themselves as a part of nature. Identity can be described as
ARTICLE INFO
Received: 25 June 2024 | Accepted: 31 August 2024 | Available online: 29 October 2024
CITATION
Javaid Z K, Khan K, Kamran M, et al. Influence of mindfulness on environmental satisfaction among young adults: mediating role of
environmental identity. Environment and Social Psychology 2024; 9(9): 2937. doi:10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2024 by author(s). Environment and Social Psychology is published by Arts and Science Press Pte. Ltd. This is an Open Access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), permitting
distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is cited.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
2
the way of organizing information about an object. Environmental identity is some of the concentration of
the people about the concept of nature and surroundings and a sense of connection to the natural environment.
Cross-sectional studies have mainly investigated western samples; therefore, most of the world's
population did not participate in cognitive research. The present research explores the mediating role of
environmental identity between mindfulness and environmental satisfaction among the Pakistani adult
population. This investigation aims to fill the gap. Although the present study is grounded in the principles of
environmental and social psychology, it differs from previous works through the use of a theoretically sound
quantitative approach that will further the understanding of how mindfulness can benefit individuals in
developing relationships with the natural environment and ultimately support the call for greater
environmental responsibility.
Materialism is an important cause of pressure on ecosystems. Suppose the individual perceives that the
environment as a valued object is threatened. The literature puts forward that mindfulness enhances research
on subjective well-being since it concentrates on the present moment, enhances interpersonal understanding
and compassion, helps define and get a clear vision of purpose and values, and, lastly, helps avoid the
hedonic adaptation that generally states that humans return to a baseline level of happiness after experiencing
positive and negative life events. Research also reveals the correlation between subjective well-being,
compassion, empathy, and non-materialistic or intrinsic values[1].
Meditation is today one of the most well-known, long-standing, and researched worldwide, the
correlation of mindfulness is positively interlinked with environmental satisfaction and identity[2,3].
Mindfulness is a specific method of mental training that leads to an enhanced state of awareness and is
closely related to people's psychological aspects[4]. There has been much research investigating it over the last
few years, and the results of the studies have helped subjects, for instance, develop well-being, value
identification, perception, empathy, and compassion in relating to the environment, which can help in
bringing about a change toward environmental satisfaction.
Unlike Buddhism, the basic skills of mindfulness practice can help people pay much more attention to
bring attention back to themselves and their needs, which could help to open up new ways in which people
can transform themselves as individuals and societies. Mindfulness requires knowing what's around us and
how our bodies feel. Meditation is a practice that reels in our thoughts to calm the mind[5]. In the literature
concerning mindfulness practice, much research has been conducted on how it is beneficial in cases of
several health and well-being-related diseases. Another group of studies has also explored the question of
how mindfulness can lead to the practice of empathy and compassion.
Comparatively little research pertains to the correlation of mindfulness with environmental identity and
normalization, which refers to social processes through which ideas and actions come to be seen as 'normal'
and become taken for granted or 'natural' in everyday life. However, studies that are not directly related to
mindfulness but point toward its related facets also indicate that well-being, empathy/compassion, and
intrinsic/non-materialistic values contribute to sustainability. Mindfulness can lead to positive psychological
outcomes, and how positive outcomes, in translation, are positive for the environment is discussed[1].
Therefore, it can be posited that, as Rosenber[6] has postulated, mindfulness could 'disembowel'
consumerism. Mindful consumption uses awareness of issues to inform purchasing decisions, from everyday
items to long-term investments. Mindful consumption refers to being conscious about your choices as a
consumer.
There is a certain amount of literature that supports this view. For example, Brown and Kasser[7]
investigated whether mindfulness, intrinsic value orientations, and voluntary simplicity lifestyles were
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
3
associated with subjective well-being and minorities. Ecology is responsible for actions among samples of
adolescents and adults. They discovered the positive correlation between well-being and sustainable living
and that mindfulness and intrinsic values bear the characteristics of higher well-being and higher tendencies
towards ecological behavior.
Environmental identity (EID) is individuals' understanding of perceiving themselves as part of the
natural environment. In this respect, EID can affect any activity one perceives as touching on
environmentalism or impacting the environment. EID is also seen as the collection of attributes one has and
how one defines oneself, starting from birth and proceeding to their last moments. Although the latter can
speak about the social aspect of a person and how membership in a certain group can make people act in
some ways that are by the group's norms, the former can center on one's perception of self and is a process by
which people can relate to something greater than themselves or not a group; in this case, it is nature. Studies
conducted based on these different points of view have tried to integrate them into environmental identity
and show that both personal and social aspects of environmental identity are a positive contribution to
environmental conservation and pro-environmental behavior[8].
The EID has been designed to measure dispositions concerning people and the environment, combining
elements of affect and cognition[9]. Like other elements of identity, the connection with nature relativity is
not changeable and seems to be determined by childhood experiences and socialization processes[10, 11].
Subsumed under a psychological environmental self-identity, people with a strong environmental identity are
aware of the symbiotic relationship between them and the environment; they have a subjective experience
about the environment and the self, and nature is salient and emotionally meaningful to the selves of people
who have a strong environmental identity. Values are associated with identities, and biospheric values are
utilized in interests that involve people's perception of the world and assess events and facts as cost/benefit
characteristics of the biosphere or its sections[12]. EID predicts positive attitudes toward subjects that are
included in the biosphere, which means that people high in EID attribute more moral status to nature and to
animals, accept the biospheric values, and have a nonlinear, non-dualistic outlook where they and the world
of living beings are equal members of the biosphere[9, 13].
In a more general theoretical framework, Clayton's conceptualization[9] and related measurement of
environmental identity correspond to the ideas of identity centrality derived from the mentioned identity
theories[14, 15]. If an identity is higher (compared to lower) and within the individual identity hierarchy, these
components defining the particular identity will be more salient for the subject. In the same way,
environmental identity is described as a cognitive structure by which an individual feels a sense of ownership
and commitment to the environment[9]. Therefore, the idea of environmental identity is fully supported as a
construct that measures behavior, attitudes, and value, and there is also clear integration with the more
general theory of identity.
Environmental satisfaction in building studies refers to the symbolic assessment of the physical
properties of a particular environment that shows the extent to which a particular built-in environment is
viewed as meeting expectations and the perceived needs of the occupants[16]. Due to the relativistic factor of
the individual's assessment of the environment based on his/her value system about the life cycle[17], as well
as the goals and purposes that the individual has for the particular space[18,19], individual satisfaction with the
environment is rather difficult to remove from the context or to be objectively assessed. According to the
study's goal, Shin[20] provided a theoretical framework oriented to the process and contextually sensitive to
environmental satisfaction.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
4
On the other hand, the positive association of mindfulness with the opportunity to expand the perceptive
sense of self can point to these risks being potentially avoided. Similarly, as Brown et al[21] pointed out,
"Mindfulness is not a way to retreat from life and emerge with a strategy that involves inactivity and
disengagement, but rather is believed to direct one more fully to life by preventing narratives about life to
which the self can become prematurely committed".
The proposed model of mindfulness during environmental interpretation was investigated. It was
hypothesized that mindfulness was to be harnessed through a) mindfulness exercises used during the
interpretation process and b) short mindfulness interventions practiced before participating in the
interpretation process. This research used a 2x2 design, which was experimental. In this analysis, 450
participants were randomly assigned to the mindful instructions-present condition and the mindful
instructions-absent condition and were exposed to the mindful interpretation-provided website versus the
mindful interpretation-not provided website. Recommendations for further research, the possible
reconception of mindfulness is proposed, where engaging in mindfulness should not be viewed as one of the
dimensions of mindfulness but as a separate but connected concept[22].
Exploration of a model testing the direct effect of mindfulness and enjoyment of nature in people with a
negative impact on environmental responsibility with a moderating impact of sustainable attitude (S.A.).
Information stressing knowledge and understanding to support and develop long-term positive mindsets
pushing nature enjoyment for more responsible and prudent inhabitants' behavior, specifically in tourist
regions such as Antalya, is also highlighted.
In one study, mindfulness is tested for its impact on daily pro-environmental behavior (PEB), nature
connection, positive environment affect (PENA), and well-being. Using a daily diary design, it is revealed
that mindfulness improves PEB the following day by facilitating connection with nature and PENA. These
findings not only point to the fact that environmental considerations are often addressed in the context of
awareness and daily actions but also signify the importance of mindfulness in initiating environmental
actions and improving sustainable functioning[23].
Another correlational study found that organizational climate stress negatively impacted job satisfaction,
moderating by dispositional mindfulness, while that by job control and organizational climate stress was not
statistically significant. Occupation control and organizational climate stress; nevertheless, the moderating
roles of dispositional mindfulness[24]. Another study of teachers and physicians revealed that mindfulness is a
significant mediator between quality of life and work stress[25].
One research explores the interconnection between ecologically sustainable behavior (ESB) and
perceived well-being (SWB) through the lens of ecological concern, spiritual orientation, and spiritual
striving, with mindfulness meditation (MM) as the mediating variable. These findings suggest that,
specifically in recipients with a higher level of spirituality, the proposed environmental lifestyle could be
easily embraced, as the study by Jacob et al.[26] reveals.
Research is carried out to find the effect of mindfulness on mood behavior during outside activities in an
urbanized environment. The 10-minute walk pattern was outdoor without mindfulness instruction (indoor)
allocated using systematic random sampling. This is because the dimensions of mindfulness raise awareness
and connectedness to the environment, lead to a better mood, and reduce negative effects compared to other
activities, such as outdoor walking, without mindfulness. As posited, mindfulness did not enhance positive
effects outdoors, although it seems to build on some aspects of the nature experience protocol[27].
Experimental research proposed a pre-and post-test design to examine the effects of an office ergonomic
training program on employee psychological strain, environmental regulation, satisfaction, and interpersonal
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
5
interaction. Assimilation of the responses from a survey conducted before and after the intervention with the
knowledge workers revealed a significant improvement in environmental control, satisfaction, and
communication. However, the students' psychological stress levels did not decrease as expected. Therefore,
the findings support the need to promote ergonomic training when preparing offices to increase satisfaction
with the environment and perceived control[28].
2. Research methodology
For the reasons mentioned above, it becomes important to understand the relationship between
mindfulness, satisfaction with the environment, and the environmental identity of adults. First, it unveils the
directions on how such a popular tool for stress reduction might impact everyday behavior toward the
environment. Second, investigating the relationship between mindfulness and environmental satisfaction can
provide suggestions on how to improve the path of individuals to positive changes towards a more
environmentally friendly approach.
Convergently, considering the correlation between the concepts of mindfulness and environmental
identity proves useful in understanding how the former might enhance the latter so that people can better care
for the environment and the world they inhabit. In general, integration of these findings can help in being
mindful that will improve the health of citizens around the world as well as the health of the planet, which in
turn will create improved population health and global health.
2.1. Hypothesis
H1: Mindfulness is positively associated with environmental identity.
H2: Higher levels of mindfulness will lead to greater environmental satisfaction,
H3: Environmental identity significantly mediates the relation between mindfulness and environmental
satisfaction.
Mindfulness
Environmental Identity
Environmental Satisfaction
Figure. 1. Hypothetical mediation model
Participants: An explorative quantitative research was adopted for the study. The current study has
used a quantitative research approach and survey method to investigate the relationship of variables.
Measuring research variables and using a quantitative research design help assess individuals' attitudes,
opinions, and behaviors. To ensure an adequately diverse sample, the study recruited 367 adult participants
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
6
(over 18 years old) with various characteristics. Convenient sampling techniques were used for data
collection. Table 1 explains the demographic characteristics of the participants.
Table 1
Demographic Details (N=367)
Employees Particular
Description
Frequency
Percentage
Gender
Female
165
44.9
Male
202
55.04
Academic Qualification
Intermediate
38
10.35
Graduation
126
34.33
Masters
168
45.77
MS/ MPhil or Higher
35
9.53
Age
18- 25 Years
112
30.51
26-30 Years
76
20.7
31-35 Years
54
14.71
36-40 Years
27
7.35
41-45 Years
46
12.53
46-50 Years
27
7.35
Above 50 Years
25
5.8
2.2. Measures
Mindfulness: The participants' mindfulness was determined using self-report data collected from a
validated scale. The state MAAS is a 5-item scale designed to assess the short-term or current expression of a
core characteristic of mindfulness, namely, a receptive state of mind in which attention, informed by a
sensitive awareness of what is occurring in the present, simply observes what is taking place. These 5 items
included 1. I was finding it difficult to stay focused on what was happening. 2. I was doing something
without paying attention. 3. I was preoccupied with the future or the past. 4. I was doing something
automatically, without being aware of what I was doing. 5. I was rushing through something without being
really attentive to it. The 5-item mindful attention awareness scale (MAAS)-state was created to evaluate
how a fundamental aspect of mindfulness, a receptive mental state in which attention is guided by a sensitive
awareness of what is happening at the moment and merely observes what is taking place, is being expressed
in the short term or right now. It is a 6-point Likert scale[29].
Environmental satisfaction: A scale of internal environment satisfaction was used to measure the
overall level of satisfaction with the environment in which the participant worked. Eight elements were
adapted and validated from the scale[30].
Environmental identity: This was done by administering the environmental identity scale (EID), which
was slightly adopted to establish the level of environmental identity; that is, the level at which the
participants feel that they are an integral part of the environment and how important the environment is to the
person's self-conception. 9 items were tested and validated[9].
2.3. Procedure
Participants were mainly selected through Web-based announcements, community settings, and social
networks. The participants read and received details of the purpose and process of the study and consented to
participate in the study voluntarily. The Google forms were used through mail and social media to fill up the
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
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questionnaire o the study. Initially, 395 questionnaire links were distributed, and 367 participants responded
to the quantitative survey. Hypothesis testing was performed using the multivariate PLS-SEM method's
structural analysis to investigate the interconnection between mindfulness, satisfaction with the environment,
and environmental affiliation.
Antecedent demographic measures, such as age, gender, and education, were kept as covariates to assess
their impact on the relation of interest. In the present investigation, all ethical guidelines were followed for
the identity of the study participant, and their privacy and anonymity remained secure all the time. The
methodological strategy used in this study was to view the theoretical frameworks regarding mindfulness and
how it affects adults' environmental satisfaction and identity. Thus, by stating such relationships, the work
extends existing knowledge about the psychological factors influencing environmental involvement and
sustainable action.
3. Results
3.1. Demographic and correlation analysis
First, basic analysis was done on smart-PLS software version 4.1.0 and demographic characteristics and
Mean, standard and correlation of the constructs have been examined.
Considering that the nature of the sample size, age, and qualification of the selected population is
presented in Table 1, this paper takes them as control variables.
Table 2
Descriptive & Correlation Validity
Constructs
Mean
S.D
kurtosis
Skewness
MIND 1
Mind
ES
EI
Mindfulness
3.615
0.696
0.703
-0.63
0.708
1
Environmental Satisfaction
4.018
0.537
0.456
-0.3
0.406
0.594
1
Environmental Identity
3.751
0.573
0.055
-0.208
0.446
0.685
0.75
1
Note: ES=Environmental Satisfaction, EI= Environmental Identity, MIND= Mindfulness
Descriptive statistics and correlations of variables are shown in Table 2. The mean values for
mindfulness (M = 3.615), environmental satisfaction (M = 4.018), and environmental identity (M = 3.751)
are presented in Table 2. We further noted positive correlations of mindfulness with environmental
satisfaction (r = 0.708, p < 0.01), and environmental identity (r = 0.406, p < 0.01).
The hypothetical model was tested and analyzed in the current research on the Smart-PLS 4.1.0.0
version by employing the PLS-SEM (Partial least squares-structural equation modeling) technique. The
partial least squares structural equation modeling technique PLS-SEM helps assess complex models' direct
and indirect relationships with the variables. PLS-SEM examines the item-wise reliability of the construct in
the outer model assessment and the direct and indirect hypothetical relationship between the whole construct
in the inner model assessment.
It also explains and ascertains the coefficients across significant paths. The PLS-SEM technique is used
in academic research with the variance-based analysis approach to explain the variance in the target
construct[31]. The analysis consisted of two phases. In the first part, the outer model was tested by assessing
the commonalities of each item in the outer loadings, the convergent and divergent validity, and the values
extracted from the average variance.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
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Figure. Path diagram
The path diagram in Figure 2 describes the direct positive impact of government mindfulness on
environmental satisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship between mindfulness and environmental identity is
also positive. The mediating variable, e.g., environmental identity, intervenes in the positive link between
mindfulness and environmental satisfaction. This also shows the loadings of the items after running the pls-
algorithm, which depicts the significant level of each item commonality concerning the relevant construct.
Initially, the PLS- algorithm was run to measure the outer model. The PLS algorithm has assessed the
outer loadings, composite reliability, discriminant validity, and outer loadings to establish an outer model.
Composite reliability should be 0.70, and items with loading greater than 0.70 indicate that the model
describes more than 50% of the variance in the constructs. The composite reliability of the constructs higher
than 0.60 establishes the model significance and generally should be higher than 0.70. In the next phase, the
average variance extracted, which should be greater than 0.50 for each construct, presents the outer model fit
for the mediation and moderation concept[31]. Examining collinearity is an important part of assessing the
structural model. We checked the VIF (variance inflation factor) to assess the collinearity. Values of VIF
equal to or above three present collinearity issues; ideally, values of VIF should be close to 3. Values that fall
from 1 to 3 present that there is no issue of multi-collinearity in the data.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
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Table 3
Measurement of Outer Model
Items
Factor Loadings
(>0.6), Hair et al.,
2019
VIF (<0.3),
Hair et al.,
2019
C.R (>0.7), Hair
et al., 2019
AVE (>0.5),
Hair et al.,
2019
Cronbach's
Alpha, Hair et
al., 2019
Environmental Identity
E.I.1
0.789
2.649
0.914
0.547
0.892
EI 2
0.755
2.387
EI 3
0.408
1.172
EI 4
0.754
1.998
EI 5
0.824
3.167
EI 6
0.786
2.560
EI 7
0.781
2.534
EI 8
0.785
2.087
EI 9
0.686
1.638
Environmental Satisfaction
ES 1
0.648
1.676
0.896
0.554
0.865
E.S. 2
0.730
1.976
ES 3
0.798
2.289
ES 4
0.811
2.494
ES 5
0.785
2.496
ES 6
0.809
2.785
ES 7
0.601
1.448
ES 8
0.701
1.308
Mindfulness
MIND 1
0.703
1.529
0.866
0.566
0.807
MIND 2
0.710
1.486
MIND 3
0.791
1.814
MIND 4
0.831
1.891
MIND 5
0.718
1.487
Note: ES=Environmental Satisfaction, EI= Environmental Identity, MIND= Mindfulness
CA= Cronbach's alpha, CR=Composite reliability, AVE= Average Variance Extracted, DV=Discriminant Validity
Table 3 presents all values of composite reliability above 0.6, indicating the constructs' significant
position. Secondly, the extracted average variance values captured the amount of variance of the constructs
due to measurement error. Convergent validity higher than 0.50 shows that items explain less error in the
constructs. As shown in Table 3, the AVE values are higher than 0.50, indicating a significant level of
convergent validity in the data; this is also presented in Table 3, which explains the convergent validity of all
constructs at a significant level.
The next step is to examine the validity of the discriminant. Discriminant validity shows that the
construct is distinct from the related construct when testing the research model. Specifically, "these shows of
each latent construct must exceed the highest squared correlation with any other latent variable. This
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criterion ensures discriminant validity at the aggregate level, commonly called the Fornell–Larcker
criterion[32].
Table 4
Discriminant validity
Constructs
EI
ES
MIND
Environmental Identity
0.778
Environmental Satisfaction
0.739
0.752
Mindfulness
0.713
0.600
0.744
Fornell-Larcker criterion, Note: ES=Environmental Satisfaction, EI= Environmental Identity, MIND= Mindfulness
Table 4 shows that by the adaptation of the Fornell-Larcker criterion, all diagonal values of the
constructs are higher than related below constructs, demonstrating the study model's distinct level.
3.2. Test of hypothesis
The structural model was measured using the bootstrapping technique in a partial least squares approach
to structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS 4.0.0 version. The path coefficients, direct and
indirect variables' relationship, hypotheses, and significance were investigated with a bootstrapping step
using 5,000 bootstrap samples on SMART-PLS software. The level of significance was examined at the 95%
level of the confidence interval and 0.05% of the margin of error[33].
Table 5
Hypotheses Testing
Constructs
Independent
Variable
Mediator
Dependent
Variable
β
T
statistics, >1.96
P values,
<0.05
Decision
H1
Mind
EI
0.713
20.179
0.000
Accepted
H2
Mind
ES
0.094
13.302
0.000
Accepted
H3
Mind
EI
ES
0.711
3.052
0.002
Accepted
Mind=mindfulness, EI=environmental Identity, ES=Environmental satisfaction, t>1.96, p<0.05
Table 5 indicates the direct and indirect effects of the study variables. The relationship between
mindfulness and environmental identity is (β = 0.713; t = 20.179, p <0.045) and the effects of mindfulness on
environmental satisfaction are also positive and significant (β = 0.094; t = 13.302, p <0.045) that establish
the direct positive impact of the independent variable on the dependent variable. In addition, the role of the
mediator variable between the independent variable and the dependent variable is positively interacted (β =
0.711; t = 3.052, p <0.045) and proved the H3 of the study.
4. Discussion
This discussion explains how mindfulness affects environmental identity and satisfaction among adults.
Utilizing the method of SMART PLS-SEM, this particular work confirmed hypothesis one and two,
maintaining the understanding that mindfulness is positively related to both environmental identity and
satisfaction. Further, it was hypothesized that there would be an interaction between mindfulness,
environmental identity, and satisfaction, and this hypothesized relationship was supported. These results
suggest that mindfulness may be one of those interventions that can help facilitate pro-environmental
behaviors and improve subjects' sense of relatedness with nature.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
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An aspect of human behavior that could impact human actions toward the environment is
mindfulness[26,34,35]. The self-compass is multiplied by being mindful, as it influences the ethical change in
how one takes ethical action in individuals with attentiveness or empathy[36,37]. It also impacts pro-
environmental action and behavior[35,38]. It involves assigning a specific focus on presence and acceptance of
what one is experiencing when practicing it. This could involve changes in a person's relationship with the
environment and a deeper sense of ascribe to nature. Research has established mindfulness effectively raises
the general public's awareness and sense of connection with nature[27].
Mindfulness exercises aim at directing people's attention to the external and internal environment in a
non-reflective and non-critical manner. Therefore, this awareness and acceptance translate the subject into
having a higher sense of place identity. H1 shows a significant relationship between mindfulness and
environmental identity meaning people who practice mindfulness will likely have a closer connection with
the environment. This association raises the idea of mindfulness as a mechanism through which people may
develop more relationships with and identification with nature. Based on the results obtained in this study, it
is possible to claim that it is worthwhile to investigate the relationship between mindfulness and
environmental identity further. Therefore, there is an improvement in organizational environmental
productivity by practicing organizational mindfulness[39]. In particular, mindfulness in nature improves social
relationships[27].
Environmental identification is studied in current research. It measures individuals' cognition of the
environment as their own and the importance they accord to environmental issues as constituent components
of their self-schema. The self-categorization theory to environmental identity means that such people are
sensitive to their environment and feel responsible for the environmental outcomes, hence having higher self-
rated environmental satisfaction. Research has also shown that people with a slight environmental identity
exhibit higher levels of environmental satisfaction and communicate more frequently about environmental
issues and conservation[9]. This means that environmental identity contributes significantly to people's
overall satisfaction with the environment in which they live or have been placed. Experts sought to
understand the factors and motives influencing environmental behavior as positive stimuli that encourage
people to perform activities reflecting their appreciation of the natural environment over the last forty
years[34,35,40]. However, in various studies, scholars have worked hard to explain the role of the psychological
perspective of science in defining the acts of people towards the environment[41].
Hypothesis 2 explored that individuals with higher levels of mindfulness are likely to experience greater
environmental satisfaction. Mindfulness practices, which promote heightened awareness and acceptance of
the present moment, may enable individuals to fully perceive and appreciate the natural environment.
Mindfulness could establish its impact on environmental behavior towards nature in a manner that
enhances and increases the person's experience. As most actions and acts are deliberate and automatic,
mindfulness might only facilitate the change in behavior by increasing awareness of the environmentally
appropriate behavior and initiating the environmental behavior. Since mindfulness increases the focus on the
literal feelings surrounding environmental stimuli, it creates a stronger bond with nature[43]. In addition to
these pathways, there is evidence that how certain aspects of mindfulness relate to environmental behavior
vary. It was discovered that the dimension of witnessing was more consistently strongly connected with
environmental behavior and related factors, such as personal ecological norms and attitude[44,45]. According
to Baer et al.[46], observing is the awareness of internal and external stimuli, including feelings, thoughts,
emotions, sights, sounds, and smells. Observation has been identified as the core component of
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
12
mindfulness[47], and research has shown that it is especially closely associated with a sense of being
connected to nature[35].
Hypothesis 3 explores the mediating role of environmental identity in the relationship between
mindfulness and environmental satisfaction. This hypothesis suggests that mindfulness practices may
indirectly influence environmental satisfaction by developing a stronger environmental identity.
Environmental identity as the concept of distinct self-categorization based on the environment helps to
understand the role of mindfulness on environmental satisfaction. The effect of mindfulness can be assumed
to improve environmental identity, leading to higher satisfaction with the environment, whose quality is
further influenced by a closer relationship to nature. Prior literature on mediation analyses has shown that
environmental identity moderates the correlation between other psychological characteristics or perceptions
(e. g., psychological connectivity with the environment or environmental stance) and environment-related
behavior or result. These results show that when it comes to predicting environmental outcomes influenced
by individual characteristics, the identity of the environment should not be overlooked.
Scholars try to assess psychological antecedents that underpin environmental behavior and can claim
that pro-environment behaviors enhance aspects of nature or minimize the destructive nature of the
environment exercised by particular individuals. Mindfulness has received immense attention regarding
psychological factors related to environmental behavior[26,38,42]. The literature shows that mindfulness allows
people to monitor their behaviour appropriately.
In summary, the theoretical framework of this proposed model indicates that mindfulness affects
environmental satisfaction through its effects on environmental identity. Because mindfulness raises people's
awareness of their environment and their relationship with it, this could increase the level of what has been
called 'environmental identity' and, in turn, the extent to which people feel satisfied with their environment.
5. Conclusion
This work contributes to understanding the associations between mindfulness, environmental
satisfaction, and environmental identity among adults. The present study indicates that mindfulness practices
have a positive influence in altering the perception people have about the environment. In particular, the
present study revealed that mindfulness has positive and significant relationships with environmental
satisfaction and identity. These findings indicate that mindfulness impacts can contribute to individual well-
being and help people develop an appreciation of nature and engage in behaviors that benefit the
environment. By doing so, mindfulness may help to raise people's awareness of the present moment and
accept it, which in turn may make people appreciate their environment and act to protect it.
Our findings indicate that mindfulness practices significantly improve individuals' perceptions and
appreciation of their environment, promoting well-being and environmentally beneficial behaviors. By
highlighting the potential of mindfulness to foster environmental responsibility, our research provides
valuable implications for designing interventions that can positively impact both people and the planet.
These insights emphasize the psychological processes underlying environmental involvement and suggest
that mindfulness can be a powerful tool in promoting sustainable environmental action. Policymakers and
practitioners can use these findings to develop strategies that leverage mindfulness to benefit the
environment.
Environment and Social Psychology | doi: 10.59429/esp.v9i10.2937
13
6. Limitation
The study has few potential limitations, including self-reported biases and cross-sectional data. The
study was conducted in one city, so the collected data may not be generalizable. Therefore, future studies can
overcome these deficiencies by conducting research with a longitudinal design and including concrete
measures.
7. Implication
The implications of this study are of great importance for future research and practical applications in
mindfulness and environmental psychology. First, they emphasize that mindfulness interventions can
contribute to an individual's subjective well-being and a higher level of individual-environment connection.
As a result of contributing to people's need for environmental satisfaction and identity, mindfulness practices
can be considered suitable to foster adult pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors.
Furthermore, since the findings of this study show that mindfulness has a positive and significant
correlation with environmental attitudes, it is important to include mindfulness interventions in other large-
scale programs geared toward increasing environmental awareness and responsibilities. By training people
on how to develop awareness of the present moment and the ability to empathize with the environment, such
initiatives can contribute to developing an environmentally conscious society. In summary, the findings of
this study are not limited to the individual level but also encompass broader social and physical contexts. In
understanding the ability of mindfulness to enable a better relationship with nature, policymakers and
implementers can contribute to the development of systems that support both personal and environmental
well-being, thus contributing to a brighter future for all.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to express their gratitude to UNITAR International University for supporting
this research.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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