Predicting waste reduction behavior according to the 5 R principles using three psycho-social models in undergraduate student

Abstract

This research is a quantitative study that examines the comparative correlation among three psychosocial theories to determine whether predictors from the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, Psycho-Moral Strength, or Theory of Planned Behavior can predict behaviors related to waste reduction according to the 5 R principles: avoiding and reducing the use of items, reusing items effectively, and recycling. The sample used in this research study consists of undergraduate students in their 2nd to 3rd year from public and private universities, or state-controlled universities, totaling 573 individuals. This includes 166 male students (29.0%) and 407 female students (71.1%), with an average age of 19 years and 8 months. Used a multi-stage sampling method, analyzing data in the overall group and in 25 sub-groups, which were divided according to the socio-demographic characteristics of the sample group. The variables in this research consist of 1) a group of waste reduction behaviors according to the 5R principle, which includes three variables: avoiding and reducing the use of items, reusing items wisely, and adjusting and reusing items. 2) a group of self-sufficient economy variables. 3 variables are rationality, self-immunity, and recognition of virtue. 3) Group of moral psychological power The four variables are self-efficacy, achievement motivation, Future oriented and self-controlself-control, and ethical disengagement. 4) Theory of Planned Behavior 4 variables are social norms, attitudes toward the behavior, perceived behavioral control, and intention to perform the behavior. 5) Socio-biological background variable group Most of the scales are of the rating type, with Cronbach's Alpha Method reliability (α) ranging from 0.597 to 0.852. The analysis of three key data points is as follows: First, the group of ethical power can predict waste reduction behavior according to the 5 R principles (3 behaviors) significantly better than the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy group, with an increase in predictive power ranging from 2.10% to 6.85%. The two predictors, ranked from most to least important, are 1) achievement motivation and 2) self-efficacy. Secondly, the theory of planned behavior group can predict waste reduction behavior according to the 5 R principles (3 behaviors) more effectively from two predictor groups: the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy group and the predictor from the ethical power group, with statistical significance. The prediction volume increased between 27.60% and 39.60%. Three predictors were identified in order of importance: 1) intention to perform the behavior, 2) achievement motivation, and 3) perceived moral values. And finally, the results of the linear relationship model test of the 5R waste reduction behavior group showed that it was directly influenced by all latent variables, ranked by the coefficient of influence as follows: 1) the planned behavior latent variable group (0.694). 2) The latent variable group of ethical power (0.489) and 3) the latent variable group of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy (0.165). The coefficient of determination (R²) of the structural equation model for the internal variable group of the 5R waste reduction behavior is 0.131, with a Chi-Square value of 46.880, df = 34, p-value = 0.0697, RMSEA = 0.026, CFI = 0.995, TLI = 0.987, and SRMR = 0.030. Based on the research findings that the development of waste reduction behavior according to the 5R principle needs to focus more on individual factors (Individualism) rather than social factors, ethical mental power plays a significant role in influencing behavior both directly and indirectly. Therefore, development recommendations should prioritize strengthening these factors, including practical approaches that can be implemented, such as 1) Developing guidelines to support waste reduction behaviors based on the 5R principle 2) Developing behavior prediction models through ethical motivation 3) The use of technology and digital media to stimulate behavior 4) Integrating the philosophy of sufficiency economy with waste reduction according to the 5R principles and 5) Designing support policies at the organizational and community levels, etc., will lead to clear outcomes for the benefit of developing the targeted personnel of the project.