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Age and environmental sustainability: a meta-analysis

Brenton M. Wiernik (Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
Deniz S. Ones (Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA)
Stephan Dilchert (Department of Management, Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College, CUNY, New York, New York, USA)

Journal of Managerial Psychology

ISSN: 0268-3946

Article publication date: 4 November 2013

11016

Abstract

Purpose

Research has shown that individuals of different ages hold different environmental attitudes and perform environmental behaviors of different kinds and to varying degrees. The strength and direction of age-effects observed across studies has been inconsistent, however. This study aims to examine the relationship between age and a variety of environmental sustainability-related psychological variables using meta-analytic techniques.

Design/methodology/approach

Relationships between age and environmental concern, environmental values, attitudes toward environmental behaviors, environmental awareness, environmental knowledge, environmental motives, environmental intentions, and pro-environmental behaviors were examined. Data from relevant studies between 1970 and 2010 were meta-analyzed to determine the magnitudes of relationships between age and environmental variables, and to investigate whether effects generalize across studies.

Findings

Most relationships were negligibly small. Small but generalizable relationships indicated that older individuals appear to be more likely to engage with nature, avoid environmental harm, and conserve raw materials and natural resources.

Originality/value

Stereotypes about age-differences in environmental sustainability are commonly held in organizations. If work and organizational psychologists are to encourage and help individuals to be more environmentally responsible at work, understanding how age affects these efforts is imperative. By meta-analytically estimating age-differences in environmental sustainability variables, the present study helps to dispel erroneous stereotypes and guide organizations to implement effective environmental interventions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

An earlier version of this paper was presented at the Annual Conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Chicago, IL, April 2011.

Citation

M. Wiernik, B., S. Ones, D. and Dilchert, S. (2013), "Age and environmental sustainability: a meta-analysis", Journal of Managerial Psychology, Vol. 28 No. 7/8, pp. 826-856. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMP-07-2013-0221

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2013, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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