Towards conservation behavioral change through connectedness to nature: A qualitative content analysis

In order to deal with the environmental risks caused by human behavior and change it towards sustainable pro-environmental behaviors, it is suggested to re-establish the connection between humans and the natural world. The purpose of this research was to identify the components affecting connectedness to nature (CTN) in order to strengthen conservation behaviors in the context of critical theory paradigm. To analyze the selected final articles, qualitative content analysis technique with inductive approach was used as the research method. The articles related to CTN are considered as the statistical population and sample in this technique. Selection of the article from population was fulfilled using a purposeful approach. Based on the results of content analysis, a model was developed and proposed for components affecting CTN. The results showed that the three main components including situational-contextual (experience with nature and activities affecting CTN) , individual (worldviews and individual factors) , and psychological (mindfulness, identity, and empathy) dimensions affecting CTN. Each of the sub-components also encompasses several variables that, when given attention, can enhance CTN and pro-environmental conservation behaviors. The model developed and proposed in the present study can be utilized by policymakers and stakeholders interested in facilitating change and planning for decision-making processes among natural resource users.