Abstract
The purpose of this article is to investigate the relationship between the subjective well-being of children and their environmental attitudes, as well as their environmental satisfaction. A total of 1,746 Brazilian children (53.5% girls) took part in this study, aged between eight and 13 (M = 10.17; SD = 1.49). Hierarchical regression analyses were carried out, using the Personal Well-being Index — School Children as the dependent variable, and socio-demographic data, items from the Environmental Attitudes Scale for Children (EAAN) and the Scale for Environmental Satisfaction among Children (EISA) as the independent variables. The results indicated that 12% of variance in well-being was explained by five items from the EAAN scale and by the city of residence. A further 14.9% was explained by five items on the EISA scale and by the variables city and age. The presence of environmental attitudes, talking to parents about environmental issues, cleanliness of their school and contact with animals and nature are some of the predictors of well-being, along with living in towns and cities inland. The study supports the consideration of environment as an indicator of well-being among children.
Resumen
El objetivo del artículo es investigar la relación entre bienestar subjetivo infantil y actitudes ambientales, así como con la satisfacción ambiental. Participaron 1,746 brasileños (53.5% niñas) con edades entre ocho y 13 años (M = 10.17; DT = 1.49). Fueron realizados análisis de regresión jerárquica utilizándose como variable dependiente el Personal Well-being Index — School Children y como variables independientes datos sociodemográficos, los ítems de la Escala de Actitudes Ambientales para Niños (EAAN) y de la Escala Infantil de Satisfacción con el Ambiente (EISA). Los resultados indicaron que la varianza del bienestar es explicada en 12% por cinco ítems de la EAAN y por la ciudad. Otros 14.9% fueron explicados por cinco ítems de la EISA y por las variables ciudad y edad. La presencia de actitudes ambientales, hablar con los padres sobre cuestiones ambientales, la limpieza de la escuela y el contacto con naturaleza y animales son algunos de los predictores del bienestar, además de vivir en ciudades del interior. El estudio contribuye para que el ambiente sea considerado un indicador del bienestar infantil.
Acknowledgements / Agradecimientos
This research was subsidized by CAPES — Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; and CNPq — Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico. / Esta investigación se ha realizado subvencionada por CAPES — Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior; y CNPq — Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. / Los autores no han referido ningún potencial conflicto de interés en relación con este artículo.