The influencing mechanism of pro-environmental behaviors in the private domain on those in the public domain

Abstract

From the perspective of regulatory focus theory, the influencing mechanism of pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in the private domain on behaviors in the public domain were analyzed by revealing the mediating effect of the status quo maintenance and the moderating effect of the prevention focus orientation. The study results show that PEBs in the private domain significantly promote individuals’ PEBs in the public domain. The status quo maintenance partially mediates the relationship between PEBs in the private and public domains. Specifically, individuals with a high-level prevention focus orientation strengthen the relationship between the PEBs in the private domain and the status quo maintenance, and that of the PEBs in the public domain. Therefore, individuals with high-level prevention focus will more likely engage in subsequent PEBs in the public domain after their initial PEBs in the private domain due to their increased status quo maintenance degree. Policymakers and practitioners should pay attention to the prevention-repetition effect and use the PEBs in the private domain to promote those in the public domain.