Segmentation of ecological guilt and sustainable food consumption – A European cross-country perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22355496 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Brigitta Plasek (0000-0002-6534-7107, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, corresponding author), Zoltán Lakner (0000-0002-2662-2241, Tashkent State Agrarian University), Ágoston Temesi (0000-0001-6128-6653, Hungarian Academy of Sciences) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Pages | 100347 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Cleaner and Responsible Consumption (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2666-7843 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.clrc.2025.100347 |
| OpenAlex | W4415423686 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 48 |
Food consumption habits are one of the most direct and active forms of consumer behaviour through which individuals impact their environment. This behaviour does not evolve in isolation; rather, it is influenced by a variety of factors, including guilt. Within the context of sustainability, ecological guilt is a particularly salient determinant. This study explores the relationship between ecological guilt and the core principles of sustainable food consumption. Eco-guilt may influence the fundamental dimensions of overconsumption, food waste, dietary composition, or recycling, although not necessarily all of them. This study aimed to develop consumer segments based on the elements of the food eco-guilt scale and describe these clusters in terms of sustainable food consumption principles and other consumer characteristics. Data were collected from a sample of 3,000 individuals in four countries and structured to reflect national population distributions across several key demographics. Cluster analysis identified two distinct segments: the ‘Guilt-Reactive’ and ‘The Uncertain’. The respondents in the ‘Guilt-Reactive’ group exhibited significantly stronger tendencies towards sustainable food-related behaviours than those in the ‘The Uncertain’ group—particularly regarding recycling, avoiding overconsumption, and reducing food waste. However, no clear commitment to dietary aspects was observed, as responses in this domain tended to be neutral rather than supportive. These findings highlight that while ecological guilt may motivate certain sustainable consumption behaviours, dietary changes, such as increasing the proportion of plant-based foods and reducing intake of highly processed, nutrient-poor products, may require motivational drivers that are stronger or of different types than eco-guilt. • Consumer groups are based on the likelihood of food-related eco-guilt. • There is a relationship between eco-guilt and sustainable food consumption. • Order of priorities are based on the principles of sustainable food consumption
Consumer behaviour · Population · Sustainable agriculture · Sustainable consumption · Cultural Differences and Values · Organic Food and Agriculture · Psychology of Moral and Emotional Judgment
A mediated moderation model of eco-guilt, personal and social norms and religiosity triggering pro-environmental behavior in tourists
Eco-guilt and eco-shame in tourism consumption contexts
The effect of self-conscious emotions of guilt and regret on consumers’ intentions to reduce food waste
Age differences and profiles in pro-environmental behavior and eco-emotions
Using Eco-Guilt to Motivate Environmental Behavior Change
Development and validation of a measure of climate change anxiety
Predictors of environmental guilt, and its role as a mediator of the association between human-nature relation and pro-environmental behavior intentions
Eco-Guilt Motivates Eco-Friendly Behavior
Antecedents of Consumer Food Waste Reduction Behavior
How women differently felt guilt from men in Korea
Negative income effect on perception of long-term environmental risk
The social origins of gender differences in anticipated feelings of guilt and shame following delinquency
Individual Differences in Experiences of and Responses to Guilt and Shame
Guilty pleasures
Guilty displeasures
Chocolate cake. Guilt or celebration? Associations with healthy eating attitudes, perceived behavioural control, intentions and weight-loss
The underlying role of food guilt in adolescent food choice
The Norm Activation Model
Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests
Tracking the trajectory of shame, guilt, and pride across the life span
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |