An investigation of the relationship between social studies teacher candidates ecological citizenship levels and their environment attitudes

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between social studies pre‑service teachers' levels of ecological citizenship and their attitudes toward the environment. The research was conducted through a quantitative research approach based on the relational survey model. The study group consisted of a total of 316 social studies pre‑service teachers studying in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades at Samsun Ondokuz Mayıs University and Amasya University during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected by means of the Ecological Citizenship Scale and the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) Scale. Descriptive statistics, independent samples t‑test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. The findings revealed that the ecological citizenship levels of the participants were generally moderate and their environmental attitudes tended toward an ecocentric orientation. No significant difference was found in terms of gender; however, senior students had higher ecological citizenship levels than those in lower grades. Significant differences were determined among participants living in rural areas, those who had received environmental education, were members of non‑governmental organizations, participated in environmental campaigns, or used energy‑saving devices. According to the NEP results, the participants' attitudes toward the environment were generally high, with strong ecocentric and weaker anthropocentric orientations. It was also found that participation in environmental campaigns and a sense of water responsibility were associated with stronger ecocentric attitudes. Pearson correlation analysis indicated positive and significant relationships between the overall ecological citizenship score and both the ecocentric orientation (r = .231, p <.01) and the overall NEP score (r = .124, p <.05). However, no significant relationship was found between the anthropocentric orientation and ecological citizenship. Strong positive correlations were observed among the sub‑dimensions of ecological citizenship, namely participation, sustainability, responsibility, and justice. In conclusion, it was determined that social studies pre‑service teachers' levels of ecological citizenship and environmental attitudes were generally positive and mutually reinforcing.