Extending the knowledge-attitude-practice model to exploring the role of environmental literacy in shaping ecotourists' pro-environmental behavior
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9405507 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rahim Maleknia (0000-0003-0989-3426, Lorestan University, corresponding author), Naser Zamani (Lorestan University), Navid Zamani (0000-0002-0155-9709) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 261 |
| Pages | 105910-105910 |
| Publication date | 2025-11-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Acta Psychologica (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0001-6918 • E-ISSN: 1873-6297 |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105910 |
| PMID | 41205552 |
| OpenAlex | W4415997254 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 2 |
| References cited | 85 |
Forests are ecologically fragile destinations where ecotourists' behavior directly affects conservation outcomes. This study extends the Knowledge-Attitude-Practice (KAP) model by positioning Environmental Literacy (EL) as a precursor to knowledge and by disaggregating knowledge into three dimensions including awareness of environmental issues, sustainable practices knowledge, and perceived impact of individual actions. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire survey of 398 forest ecotourists in Iran and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The extended model explained a substantial proportion of the variance in pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, highlighting the central role of EL in shaping both knowledge and attitudes. Results show that EL strengthens tourists' awareness, equips them with sustainable practices knowledge, and reinforces their belief in the effectiveness of individual actions. Attitude emerged as the strongest determinant of pro-environmental behavior, while perceived impact of actions was the most influential knowledge component in shaping attitudes. These findings contribute to theory by refining the KAP model to integrate EL and differentiated knowledge pathways, and to practice by emphasizing the importance of literacy-focused interventions and attitudinal engagement strategies. Strengthening tourists' EL and reinforcing their sense of individual impact can substantially enhance pro-environmental behavior in ecotourism contexts
Mirror, mirror on the wall
How does environmental knowledge translate into pro-environmental behaviors?
Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) in second language and education research
Consistent and asymptotically normal PLS estimators for linear structural equations
Health Promotion by Social Cognitive Means
The theory of planned behavior
When to use and how to report the results of PLS-SEM
Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error
Application of the Affinities Theory to the environmental sustainability of tourist destinations
Factors affecting sustainable consumption behavior
The impact of environmental literacy on residents’ green consumption
Enhancing Environmental Awareness in Tourism Through Movement
Impact of National Ecotourism Coordination Zone on Regional Economic Synergy
Exploring the impact of metaverse tourism experiences on actual visit intentions
Local food heritage in a mountain tourism destination
Determining Sample Size for Research Activities
Tourists' intention to visit green hotels
Transforming forest management through rewilding
Media Exposure to Climate Change, Anxiety, and Efficacy Beliefs in a Sample of Italian University Students
The relationship between environmental literacy, ecological footprint awareness, and environmental behavior in adults
The impacts of knowledge and attitude on behavior of antibiotic use for the common cold among the public and identifying the critical behavioral stage
Impact of climate change information of university students in Turkey on responsibility and environmental behavior through awareness and perceived risk
Do ecotourism, green construction, environmental education, and sustainable behaviour lead to sustainable development? A mediation–moderation approach
A global systematic review of empirical evidence of ecotourism impacts on forests in biodiversity hotspots
Mind the Gap
Weak and Strong Conceptions of Environmental Literacy
An investigation of environmental awareness and practice among a sample of undergraduate students in Belize
The role of environmental knowledge, policies and regulations toward water resource management
Coefficient alpha and the internal structure of tests
Shaping sustainable tourism behavior among elderly tourists
Matching the Message to the Process The Relative Ordering of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Behavior Change Research
| Unique citing works | 2 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 2 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |