Exploring Environmental Identity, Knowledge, and Sustainable Behavior Across India: Impacts on Life Satisfaction

Abstract

In the present study, the inter correlations between the Environmental Identity (EI), Sustainable Behavior (SB), Environmental Knowledge (EK) and Life Satisfaction (LS) have been studied in 7 cultural zones of India. The aim of the present study was to investigate the cultural differences in EI and in SB, to elucidate the mediating role of EK in the EI–SB relationship, and to investigate the role of SB on LS to gain insights into the overall pathway from EI to LS. A quantitative, cross-sectional research design was utilized, and a 2,688 adult population was sampled (384 in each cultural zone) with the use of a structured questionnaire that contained standardized 5-point Likert-scale items that assessed EI, SB, EK and LS. Descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA for comparing the cultural zones, Pearson correlation analysis, regression analysis, and mediation modeling in SPSS were used as analytical tools in data analysis. Results showed that there were significant differences in EI (F = 127.216, p < 0.001) and SB (F = 110.095, p < 0.001) between cultural zones (North-East and South). Results indicated that the knowledge acquisition is a strong mediator between the relationship between EI and SB, thus enhancing the influence of EI with pro-environmental behaviors. Further, it was found that SB positively predicted LS, which indicates that it is possible to make an environmentally responsible action that will lead to an increase in life satisfaction. These findings highlight the significance of culture, environmental awareness, and engagement for wellbeing, and offer tangible information for the design of interventions for sustainability education and policy.