Nature Connectedness, Nonattachment, and Engagement with Nature's Beauty Predict Pro-Nature Conservation Behavior

Although research has examined factors that account for pro-environmental behaviors relating to climate warming through carbon and resource use, very few studies have investigated factors that account for behavior that directly supports conservation of habitats and biodiversity. In particular, there remain questions as to whether nature connectedness relates to an individual's aesthetic or spiritual relationship with the objective world, or their philosophy of consciousness and selfhood. Consequently, the purposes of this study were to examine (a) the relationship between nature connectedness, engagement with nature's beauty, nonattachment and implicit theory of mind, and (b) how each of these variables predict pro-nature conservation behavior. A cross-sectional cohort study utilizing a correlational design recruited 203 male and female English-speaking adults. Participants completed a battery of online psychometric tests that assessed each of the aforementioned variables. The data were examined using bivariate correlations and multiple regression analysis. Significant correlations were found between all pairs of variables. Furthermore, nonattachment and nature connectedness were found to be significant predictors of pro-nature conservation behavior, whereas engagement with nature's beauty was of borderline significance and implicit theory of mind was nonsignificant. Findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying specific psychological and philosophical outlooks that may facilitate or impair a person's inclination to actively participate in pro-nature conservation behaviors. In particular, findings suggest that practices or interventions that foster nonattachment in addition to nature connectedness may have a role in the development of effective programs to aid nature's recovery.