Psycho-social factors correlated with participation behavior in environmental conservation of local villagers in Khuha Tai Subdistrict, Songkhla Province

Abstract

This research was a study of a comparative relationship based on the Interactionism model and psychological theories both domestically and internationally. The purposes were to find out factors related to the behavior of participation in environmental conservation and to seek a group of villagers less involved in environmental conservation. The selected samples were 400 local villagers aged 18 years and over living in Khuha Tai Subdistrict, Rattaphum District, Songkhla Province. They are typically derived from stratified sampling and quota sampling. The data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed in total group and 12 subgroups which divided by the social biology characteristics of the samples. The descriptive statistics used were multiple regressions and 3-way ANOVA. The results showed that when the scores of the participation in environmental conservation behaviors were analyzed by multiple regression using the variables of the situational factor, psychological traits and psychological states, it revealed that it can predict in the total group at 47.1%. The important predictor sequences were observing examples from people around, social support from the government, good attitude towards participation and locus of control, respectively. When analyzed with 3 - way ANOVA to discover a group with little participation in environmental preservation, it was declared that the group of villagers had never participated in the social activity at all. The results of this investigation can be a practical suggestion for the responsible agencies involved in community development to be used to enhance the participation in environmental conservation.In addition, this study will be a foundation for future research on environmental conservation.