Role of restorative natural environments in predicting hikers’ pro-environmental behavior in a nature trail context

Abstract

Given environmental contribution of individuals' behavioral change, this study explored how hikers' pro-environmental behavior can be facilitated. The theoretical model incorporated the restorative quality of natural trails as an external environment, hikers' place affect and their pro-environmental behavior. This study used a mixed research approach to test this model, which involved developing measurement items for the restorative quality of nature trails and analyzing survey data from 361 hikers. The analysis showed that the restorative quality of natural trails induced place affect, which increased place-specific pro-environmental behavior. Mediating effect of place affect and moderating function of daily environmental practices were identified.