TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating values and environmental attitudes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

AU - Detjen, Lisa

AU - Schröder, Sophia

AU - Schwenck, Magdalena

AU - Summa, Jana

AU - Schreiber, Jonathan

AU - von Wehrden, Henrik

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © AESS 2024.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - This research investigates changes in peoples’ values and specifically of environmental attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on a longitudinal quantitative design with three survey waves (n = 144, 34, 34) conducted in Lüneburg, Germany, we examined how experiencing the crisis related to the coronavirus may change major values and affect environmental awareness as well as attitudes toward climate change. In addition to a quantitative survey, qualitative interviews were conducted to gain in-depth insights. Over a 5-month period from May to October 2020, a slight shift in individual values was detected, with participants moving away from conservation values (tradition, security) and toward emancipative and postmaterial values (autonomy, self-expression), as well as an increase in a feeling of connectedness to others. Limitations of this study include a high participant dropout over the research period which increases the risk of bias. Yet, this research during times of crisis can aid our understanding of shifts in individual values.

AB - This research investigates changes in peoples’ values and specifically of environmental attitudes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Building on a longitudinal quantitative design with three survey waves (n = 144, 34, 34) conducted in Lüneburg, Germany, we examined how experiencing the crisis related to the coronavirus may change major values and affect environmental awareness as well as attitudes toward climate change. In addition to a quantitative survey, qualitative interviews were conducted to gain in-depth insights. Over a 5-month period from May to October 2020, a slight shift in individual values was detected, with participants moving away from conservation values (tradition, security) and toward emancipative and postmaterial values (autonomy, self-expression), as well as an increase in a feeling of connectedness to others. Limitations of this study include a high participant dropout over the research period which increases the risk of bias. Yet, this research during times of crisis can aid our understanding of shifts in individual values.

KW - COVID-19

KW - Environmental awareness

KW - Mixed methods

KW - Pandemic

KW - Risk

KW - World values survey

KW - Environmental Governance

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85217211131&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s13412-024-00971-9

DO - 10.1007/s13412-024-00971-9

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85217211131

JO - Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences

JF - Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences

SN - 2190-6483

ER -