The School of Marxism, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
Abstract
This study examines how environmental values and pro-environmental social identity influence pro-environmental behavior (PEB) among university students, testing the mediating role of well-being and the moderating role of spirituality. Integrating Value-Belief-Norm and Social Identity theories, a cross-sectional survey was administered to university students in China (𝑁=334). Data were analyzed using PROCESS macro (Model 14). Results revealed that pro-environmental social identity and biospheric values positively predicted PEB, whereas egoistic values exhibited a negative association. Student well-being significantly mediated the positive effects of social identity and biospheric values on PEB, highlighting an affective-motivational pathway to ecological action. However, the moderating role of spirituality across these indirect paths was statistically non-significant, indicating that the well-being mechanism functions independently of individual spiritual orientation in this population. By incorporating subjective well-being into value-identity frameworks, this research refines traditional cognitive-normative models and demonstrates that personal flourishing is integral to student environmental engagement. These insights offer valuable implications for designing university-based sustainability initiatives that foster well-being alongside shared ecological identities.
Jing, B. (2026). Examining the Impact of Spirituality, Environmental Values, and Pro-Environmental Social Identities on Female Student Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Behavior. Family, Gender and Society, 1(1), 22–51.
MLA
Jing, B. "Examining the Impact of Spirituality, Environmental Values, and Pro-Environmental Social Identities on Female Student Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Behavior", Family, Gender and Society, 1, 1, 2026, 22–51.
HARVARD
Jing, B. (2026). 'Examining the Impact of Spirituality, Environmental Values, and Pro-Environmental Social Identities on Female Student Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Behavior', Family, Gender and Society, 1(1), pp. 22–51.
CHICAGO
Jing, B., "Examining the Impact of Spirituality, Environmental Values, and Pro-Environmental Social Identities on Female Student Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Behavior." Family, Gender and Society, 1 1 (2026): 22–51,
VANCOUVER
Jing B. Examining the Impact of Spirituality, Environmental Values, and Pro-Environmental Social Identities on Female Student Well-Being and Pro-Environmental Behavior. FGS. 2026;1(1):22–51.
