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Mindfulness promotes pro-environmental behaviors to reduce single-use plastic pollution
Summary
Among 309 university students, mindfulness significantly increased pro-environmental behaviors targeting single-use plastic pollution, primarily by enhancing specific awareness of plastic harms rather than through general cognitive reappraisal, with the effect strongest among nature-connected individuals. These findings support mindfulness-based, issue-specific environmental education as a scalable behavioral intervention for reducing plastic pollution at the community level.
This study examines how mindfulness fosters pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) to address single-use plastic pollution, a critical localized environmental issue. We explore the mediating roles of environmental awareness and cognitive reappraisal in this relationship. Data from 309 university students, were analyzed using Hayes' PROCESS Macro to assess direct and indirect effects. Findings show that mindfulness significantly boosts PEBs, both directly and indirectly, by enhancing awareness of single-use plastic harms. Cognitive reappraisal, while linked to PEBs, has a less pronounced indirect effect, indicating that targeted awareness of specific ecological issues outperforms general cognitive shifts in driving sustainable actions. This effect is particularly strong among nature-connected individuals, suggesting their readiness for eco-friendly behavior. These results advocate for mindfulness-based interventions that prioritize issue-specific awareness to reduce plastic pollution, offering a scalable approach to promote environmental sustainability.