Passion for outdoor activities and environmental behaviors: A look at emotions related to passionate activities

Based on the dualistic model of passion and the broaden-and-build theory, this study aimed to test the impact of passion for an outdoor activity on emotions and their effects on affiliation with nature and environmental behaviors. A total of 212 practitioners of outdoor activities from Reunion Island took part in the study. The results of the path analysis showed that harmonious passion was related to positive emotions, which were related to affiliation with nature and ultimately more environmental behaviors. In contrast, obsessive passion was related to negative emotions, which were negatively related to affiliation with nature and environmental behaviors. These results stress the fact that practicing an outdoor activity does not guarantee environmental behaviors. It rather appears that type of passion for these activities matters; and this way, passion can influence emotions and thought-action repertoires of people about nature and environment.