ERIC Number: EJ1449937
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1467-6370
EISSN: EISSN-1758-6739
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Sustainability Consciousness as a Psychological Construct with Undergraduate Students in the Republic of Korea
Sung-Sang Yoo; Gahyung Kim; Soo Jung La; Yoojeo Sung
International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, v25 n8 p1610-1625 2024
Purpose: This paper explores how sustainability consciousness varies among undergraduate students at a higher education institution in the Republic of Korea. Based on the analyses of survey data, this paper aims to understand the present state and future prospect of education for sustainable development, specifically within higher education in the Republic of Korea. Design/methodology/approach: This study involves analyzing 254 complete responses from undergraduate students at Seoul National University using confirmatory factor analysis. Subsequently, it explores how five variables (gender, grade year, type of college, prior exposure to sustainable development and prior exposure to education for sustainable development) influence the level of sustainability consciousness among these undergraduates. Findings: The goodness-of-fit indices of the adapted sustainability consciousness questionnaire indicate a good fit. The analysis reveals a notable gender-based disparity in sustainability consciousness, with female students exhibiting higher levels than their male counterparts. Additionally, academic progression also affects sustainability consciousness; students in their first and second years show greater awareness compared to those in their third year. Furthermore, the academic discipline of respondents plays a role, as evidenced by students from the College of Education displaying higher sustainability consciousness than those from other colleges. Originality/value: This research distinguishes itself from prior studies in two key dimensions. First, it offers an analysis of the sustainability consciousness among South Korean undergraduate students, with a particular focus on those who have experienced the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, this study endeavors to establish the validity of sustainability consciousness as a psychological construct, expanding the understanding of its implications and relevance in the context of higher education.
Descriptors: Sustainability, Undergraduate Students, Goodness of Fit, Sustainable Development, Foreign Countries, Gender Differences, Factor Analysis, COVID-19, Pandemics, Validity, Student Attitudes, Psychological Patterns, Comparative Analysis, Majors (Students), Environmental Education, Prior Learning, Institutional Characteristics
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: South Korea (Seoul)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A