The role played by age on children's pro-ecological behaviors: An exploratory analysis

Little is known about the developmental course of young children's acquisition of pro-environmental practices. This study takes a closer look at the relationship between age on 6-12 year-olds (N = 107) and pro-environmental behaviors (EB). Using a well-validated game format tool based on the Rasch model to collect the data, children's EB were registered, together with their ecological beliefs, Emotional Affinity toward Nature (EAN) and parental EB. The results of three structural equation models showed that age was statistically significant and negatively associated with children's EB. Children's ecological beliefs and EAN were positively related to EB, but these variables did not mediate the relationship between age and EB. Parental EB was negatively linked to children's EB. Exploratory analyses revealed that the relationship between ecological beliefs, EAN and EB seems to be stronger for older children.