Demographic differences in environmental attitudes in Malta

Abstract

This study aims to explore whether there were demographic differences in environmental attitudes in Malta. It investigated where the statistically significant differences lied between demographic categories (Age, Gender, Locality, Religious Beliefs, Political Ideology and Educational Attainment) and the influence they have on environmental attitudes. A quantitative approach was taken and a convenience sample of 167 respondents was gathered to partake in an online questionnaire distributed via social media. Independent-samples t-test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests were used to identify the significance between variables. This study found that there are differences between genders with females having more pro-environmental attitudes than males. Differences between religious beliefs and environmental attitudes were also found, with significant differences between the Christian and Islam categories, and the Islam and secular categories. However there was no statistically significant difference between the Christian and secular categories. Results also showed that there is a positive correlation between the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) and the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. Although, no statistically significant results were found between the ages of the participants, localities, political ideologies and educational attainment. The findings of this study are discussed in view of previous research relating to this area. Lastly, the limitations of the study, as well as proposed future recommendations are outlined.