The Effectiveness of the Educational Intervention Based on the Extended Theory of Planned Behavior on Pro-environmental Behaviors

Theory-based educational interventions are a logical approach in order to improve pro-environmental behaviors. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effectiveness of the educational intervention based on the extended theory of planned behavior on pro-environmental behaviors in residents of Qazvin city.

Using a multi-stage random sampling method, 120 citizens referring to Qazvin health care centers participated in a quasi- experimental study in 2022-2023. Targeted educational content was provided through what’s APP and online training (4 sessions) in the form of lectures and group discussions along with educational pamphlets and text messages for the experimental group. Data were collected before and 3 months after the Theory based education using demographic questionnaires, Pro-environmental Knowledge, moral commitment, Self- identity, TPB subscales, and pro-environmental behavior questionnaires, and were analyzed with SPSS 25.0 software and chi-square, independent and paired T-tests, ANOVA and ANCOVA were analyzed.

The mean of pro-environmental awareness (from 5.2±1.3 to 10.9±2.1), attitude (from 17.5±2.5 to 34.7±6.1), subjective norms (from 8.9±1.8 to 14.9±1.3), self-identity (from 8.8±1.7 to 12.7±2.1), moral commitment (from 10.9±1.4 to 15.0±2.1), behavioral control (from 15.7±1.6 to 24.9±3.5) and behavioral intention (from 7.4±2.2 to 11.2±9) significantly improved in the experimental group after theory based education (P<0.001). Also, the mean of pro-environmental behaviors improved significantly after controlling the effect of the pre-test variable in the experimental group (36.4±9.5 to 52.2±8.7, P<0.001).

The implementation of educational interventions based on the extended theory of planned behavior can encourage pro-environmental behaviors in citizens by improving psychological factors.