Date of Award

Fall 9-15-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

PHD - Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Education

First Advisor

Dr. Susan Rauchwerk

Second Advisor

Dr. Jeffrey Perrin

Third Advisor

Dr. Bonnie Tai

Abstract

In the nascent field of human-nature relational values, there is a growing body of literature suggesting their transformative potential in sustainability education. The ability to analytically distinguish relational values from other valuations can both inform pedagogical approaches and help to identify how people understand and value their relationships with the living and more-than-living biospheric inhabitants. To address this need, an overarching question was posited: Can a relational values-specific assessment instrument be designed and validated for use in post-secondary sustainability education? Through a survey of the literature, thematic analysis of validated human-nature connection instruments, and multi-method qualitative research, a pilot instrument was developed and administered to sustainability professionals and post-secondary college students in the US and Canada. Statistical analysis and Cronbach’s alpha confirmed construct validity and internal reliability, and the pilot instrument was further refined based on analysis of cognitive interviews and focus group data. The revised Human-Nature Relational Values (HNRV) assessment instrument, ready for additional validation, is appropriate for any adult English-speaking population to determine how and to what degree respondents experience relationality with nature.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Language

English

Number of Pages

180

Embargo Period

9-10-2024

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The author owns the copyright to this work.