Love and Care for Nature and Basic Psychological Needs Associated with Sustainable Energy-Related Physical Activity Behaviors Among Youth: A Cross-Sectional Study

Promoting sustainable active mobility requires a better understanding of the psychological factors associated with environmentally responsible physical activity (PA) behaviors among young people. This study examined the associations among love and care for nature, the satisfaction of basic psychological needs in energy-saving contexts, and sustainable energy-related PA behaviors, as well as differences by gender and school grade. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 1230 students aged 9–16. Participants completed validated questionnaires during physical education classes. Correlation analyses revealed low-to-moderate positive associations among love and care for nature, basic psychological needs related to energy saving, and sustainable energy-related PA behaviors. Hierarchical regression analyses with bootstrapping identified school grade, love and care for nature, and perceived competence in energy saving as variables independently associated with these behaviors. Multilevel linear mixed-effects analyses further indicated that love and care for nature and perceived competence remained significantly associated with sustainable energy-related PA behaviors after adjustment for gender and age. Gender differences were observed in love and care for nature and autonomy related to energy saving, while school-grade differences emerged across all environmental variables examined. These findings highlight the relevance of young people’s connection with nature and perceived competence in energy saving for understanding sustainable energy-related PA behaviors. Although the cross-sectional design precludes causal conclusions, the findings may inform future research and the development and evaluation of physical education and school-based sustainability initiatives. Such initiatives could explore ways to promote environmentally responsible physical activity and contribute to sustainable mobility and healthier, more sustainable communities.