Table 1

Means and standard deviations of the items used in the structural equation model

ConstructVariableNMeanSt. devMinMaxIncluded in models4
Post-materialism
 Universalism (UN)1 – based on questions regarding human values: important that people are treated equally and have equal opportunities; important to understand different people; important to care for nature and environment9,7100.60.60.6162.667 234
Self-direction (SD)1 – based on questions regarding human values: important to think new ideas and being creative; important to make own decisions and be free9,7100.40.8−2.9053.333 234
Post-materialism (Oreg and Katz-Gerro, 2006) (/)
 Highest priority in country: give people a greater say in important environmental decisions (Q3a/2)2 and highest priority in country: protect freedom of speech (Q3a/4)29,7100.40.30.0001.0001   
Harmony (/)
 Harmony3: fitting into the social and natural world, trying to appreciate and accept rather than to change, direct or exploit9,7104.30.33.2804.6201234
Benevolence (/)
 Benevolence (BE)1 – based on questions regarding human values: important to help people and care for others well-being; important to be loyal to friends and devote to people close9,7100.70.7−2.4292.905 234
Environmental concern (α = 0.59, ω = 0.61)
 Worry about future environment (Q10a)29,7100.50.30.0001.0001234
Worry: progress harming the environment (Q10c)29,7100.60.30.0001.0001234
Perceived threat (general) (α = 0.73, ω = 0.71)
 How dangerous for the environment – air pollution caused by industry (Q14b)29,7100.70.20.0001.0001234
How dangerous for the environment – pesticides and chemicals used in farming (Q14c)29,7100.70.20.0001.0001234
How dangerous for the environment – a rise in world temperatures caused by climate change (Q14e)29.7100.70.20.0001.0001234
How dangerous for the environment – modifying the genes of certain crops (Q14f)29,7100.60.30.0001.0001234
How dangerous for the environment – nuclear power stations (Q14g)29,7100.70.30.0001.0001234
Perceived threat (specific) (/)
 How dangerous for the environment – air pollution caused by cars (Q14a)29,7100.60.20.0001.0001234
Perceived behavioral control (α = 0.58, ω = 0.58)
 To do about the environment: too difficult (Q13a)29,7100.60.30.0001.0001234
No point unless others do the same (Q13d)29,7100.60.30.0001.0001234
Intentions/Willingness to sacrifice (α = 0.84, ω = 0.85)
 Protect the environment: pay much higher prices (Q12a)29,7100.50.30.0001.0001234
Protect the environment: pay much higher taxes (Q12b)29,7100.40.30.0001.0001234
Protect the environment: cut your standard of living (Q12c)29,7100.50.30.0001.0001234
Recycling (/)
 Effort: sort glass for recycling (Q20a)29,7100.80.30.0001.0001   
Refraining from driving (/)
 Cut back on driving a car for environmental reasons (Q20c)29,7100.30.30.0001.0001   
Environmental citizenship (Oreg and Katz-Gerro, 2006) (α = 0.53, ω = 0.58)
 Last five years: signed a petition (Q22a)29,7100.20.40.0001.0001234
Last five years: given money to an environmental group (Q22b)29,7100.20.40.0001.0001234
Last five years: taken part in a protest demonstration (Q22c)29,7100.10.30.0001.0001234
Saving natural resources (α = 0.71, ω = 0.73)
 Effort: sort glass for recycling (Q20a)29,7100.80.30.0001.000 234
Cut back on driving a car for environmental reasons (Q20c)29,7100.30.30.0001.000 234
Reduce the energy or fuel at home for environmental reasons (Q20d)29,7100.50.30.0001.000   4
Save or reuse water for environmental reasons (Q20e)29,7100.40.30.0001.000   4
Green purchasing (α = 0.61, ω = 0.3)
 Buying fruit and vegetables without pesticides or chemicals (Q20b)29,7100.40.30.0001.000   4
Avoid buying certain products for environmental reasons (Q20f)29,7100.40.30.0001.000   4
Environmental activism (α = 0.61, ω = 0.64)
 Member of a group to preserve the environment (Q21)29,7100.10.20.0001.000   4
Last five years: signed a petition (Q22a)29,7100.20.40.0001.000   4
Last five years: given money to an environmental group (Q22b)29,7100.20.40.0001.000   4
Last five years: taken part in a protest demonstration (Q22c)29,7100.10.20.0001.000   4

Note(s): 1 Source: ESS. 2 Source: ISSP. 3 Source: Schwartz (2008). 4 The number indicates in which of model 1–model 4, the variable is included. Statistical units are individuals. Cronbach's α and McDonald's ω values are shown in parentheses. For a detailed description of the variables, see the ISSP and ESS websites

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