TY - JOUR
T1 - Explaining intentions by Vietnamese schoolchildren to adopt pro-environmental behaviors in response to climate change using theories of persuasive communication
AU - Nguyen, Quynh Anh
AU - Hens, Luc
AU - Nguyen, Ninh
AU - MacAlister, Charlotte
AU - Lebel, Louis
PY - 2020/7/19
Y1 - 2020/7/19
N2 - Climate change adaptation capacity remains low among vulnerable communities in developing countries such as Vietnam. Vector-borne diseases as dengue fever are increasing as a result of changing weather patterns. This study aims to examine the impact of key psychological variables in the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Theory of Planned Behavior, an Extended Parallel Process Model and the Social Cognitive Theory on the intention of schoolchildren to engage in climate change adaptation behavior—in this study, practices which would help reduce the risks of contracting dengue fever. It also seeks to identify the most salient predictors of the behavioral intention across these theories. Data were obtained from 796 Vietnamese schoolchildren who completed questionnaires measuring constructs of the four theories. Multivariate data analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy and severity appeared to be significant and consistent predictors of the individual’s intention to reduce dengue fever. The results provide practical suggestions for the use of the theoretical constructs tested in climate change communication campaigns in Vietnam and insights generally on pro-environmental behavior change.
AB - Climate change adaptation capacity remains low among vulnerable communities in developing countries such as Vietnam. Vector-borne diseases as dengue fever are increasing as a result of changing weather patterns. This study aims to examine the impact of key psychological variables in the Theory of Reasoned Action, the Theory of Planned Behavior, an Extended Parallel Process Model and the Social Cognitive Theory on the intention of schoolchildren to engage in climate change adaptation behavior—in this study, practices which would help reduce the risks of contracting dengue fever. It also seeks to identify the most salient predictors of the behavioral intention across these theories. Data were obtained from 796 Vietnamese schoolchildren who completed questionnaires measuring constructs of the four theories. Multivariate data analysis demonstrated that self-efficacy and severity appeared to be significant and consistent predictors of the individual’s intention to reduce dengue fever. The results provide practical suggestions for the use of the theoretical constructs tested in climate change communication campaigns in Vietnam and insights generally on pro-environmental behavior change.
KW - Climate change adaptation
KW - Dengue fever
KW - Peri-urban, Persuasive communication
KW - Schoolchildren
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088106138&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s00267-020-01334-0
DO - 10.1007/s00267-020-01334-0
M3 - Article
C2 - 32686001
AN - SCOPUS:85088106138
VL - 66
SP - 845
EP - 857
JO - Environmental Management
JF - Environmental Management
SN - 0364-152X
ER -