Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/204822 
Year of Publication: 
2019
Series/Report no.: 
cege Discussion Papers No. 366
Version Description: 
Revised Version October 2019
Publisher: 
University of Göttingen, Center for European, Governance and Economic Development Research (cege), Göttingen
Abstract: 
Our well-being is influenced by our notion of what constitutes a good life, a vital part of our identity. While pro-environmental behavior is often found to be positively related to individuals' well-being, our research delves into the extent to which this relationship is influenced by individuals' identity, measured both as green self-image and their notion of the good life in general. Using survey responses from Spanish university students (n = 640) and paying close attention to the subjective perception of what it means to be "satisfied with their lives", we find that green behavior is negatively related to life satisfaction in our sample. In contrast, green self-image is positively related to life satisfaction. Whether pro-environmental behavior is positively related to life satisfaction further depends on whether one's notion of the good life (and hence happiness) is utopian, stoicist, or based on a fulfillment- or virtueview. In addition, well-being loss from pro-environmental behavior also decreases with the available disposable income.
Subjects: 
Pro-environmental behavior
subjective well-being
good life
identity
green self-image
conceptual referent theory
life satisfaction
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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