Examining the relationships between secondary school students' democratic value levels and ecological citizenship levels

The aim of this research is to examine the effects of the values of equality and respect for differences and the virtue of rights and justice on the level of ecological citizenship. The research data were collected from 5 public schools in the city center of Elazığ during the 2023-2024 academic year using the convenience sampling method. In the research, ecological citizenship levels were collected with the Ecological Citizenship Scale (EVÖ), and democratic value levels were collected with the Equality and Respect for Differences Scale, which is a subscale of the Democratic Values Scale (DDÖ). In addition to the data collection tools, a Personal Information Form prepared by the researcher was included in the research. The research data were analyzed with SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 20.0 statistical programs. The exploratory relational (correlational) research method was used in the study. According to the model results, the effect of the value of equality and respect for differences only on the sustainability dimension of ecological citizenship is positive and significant. On the other hand, it was determined that the virtue of rights and justice has a positive effect on all dimensions of ecological citizenship. In addition, the moderating role of gender in the relationship between the value of equality and respect for differences and ecological citizenship was not determined. However, it was determined that the moderating role of gender in the relationship between the virtue of rights and justice and ecological citizenship was significant in the active participation and responsibility dimension.