The Relationship between ‘Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors’, and ‘Environmental Sensitivity and Perceived Environmental Risks’

The study aims to determine the relationship between students' environmental attitudes and behaviors, and their environmental sensitivity and perceived environmental risks. The study was conducted with 361 Health School students in the 2018-19 academic years. Data were collected by the Environmental Attitude Scale (EAS), Environmental Behavior Scale (EBS), Environmental Sensitivity Scale (ESS), and Environmental Risk Perception Scale (ERPS). According to Multivariate Linear Regression Analysis: There was a positive association between EAS and the Chemical Waste Risk subscale of the ERPS (p<0.01); and also, between the ESS and subscales of the EBS (p<0.001). Another positive association was found between the Recycling Efforts subscale of the EBS and Chemical Waste Risk subscale of the ERPS and between Resource Depletion subscale of the ERPS and subscales of the EBS (p<0.05). Environmental sensitivity affected environmental behaviors positively but it was not a determinant of environmental attitudes. Some of the perceived environmental risks played an important role in existing environmental behaviors and environmental attitudes.