The relationship between prosociality level and environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in secondary school students

This research was conducted to determine the relationship between the level of prosociality and environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in secondary school students. For this purpose, it was deemed appropriate to use the descriptive survey model within the scope of the research model. The population of the research consists of secondary schools affiliated to the Ministry of National Education in the 2022-2023 academic year and student groups continuing their education at the 5th and 6th grade level of these secondary schools; The sample group consists of 384 students who were randomly selected from the population and participated in the research process voluntarily. Environmental Knowledge, Environmental Behavior, Prosociality Scale and Sociodemographic Data Form were used to obtain research data. The analysis of the data obtained was carried out using the SPSS-27 statistical program; Pearson Correlation analysis, one of the parametric tests; Independent Samples t-test and ANOVA test to test the relationship between the scores of measurement tools; It was made to compare the scores of measurement tools according to three or more groups. In cases where ANOVA assumptions were not met, the Kruskal Wallis-H test was applied. Prediction analysis was performed with Simple Linear Regression analysis. All analyzes were performed with a 95% confidence interval and a p value of .05 as reference. As a result of the research, it was determined that secondary school students' prosociality levels and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards the environment; It was determined that there was no significant difference according to mother's working status, father's working status, mother's education status, father's education status, family monthly income status, place of residence, number of siblings, order of siblings, and people they live with. On the other hand, the prosociality levels of secondary school students and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards the environment; When the scores obtained from the philanthropy subscale were compared according to the education level of the mother, it was found that there was a significant difference in the scores obtained by those who had 3 siblings or more compared to those who did not have siblings. Additionally, it was concluded that there is a positive relationship between secondary school students' prosociality levels and their knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards the environment.