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Sustainable Behavior and Quality of Life

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Handbook of Environmental Psychology and Quality of Life Research

Abstract

Sustainable development aims at improving quality of life by guaranteeing satisfaction of human needs and environmental conservation. Individuals and society participate in achieving the goals of sustainability by means of engagement in sustainable behavior (SB). SB is the set of deliberate and effective actions that result in the conservation of natural and social resources; it encompasses pro-ecological, frugal, altruistic and equitable behaviors. These behaviors allow the conservation of the natural environment, and the protection of the integrity of society; this is their first contribution to quality of life. In addition, SB frequently results in positive psychological consequences (satisfaction, self-efficacy, psychological wellbeing and restoration, happiness, and even pleasure) for individuals that engage in these practices. Such consequences represent the subjective factors of quality of life that should be added to the list of the positive repercussions of sustainable behavior.

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Tapia-Fonllem, C., Corral-Verdugo, V., Fraijo-Sing, B. (2017). Sustainable Behavior and Quality of Life. In: Fleury-Bahi, G., Pol, E., Navarro, O. (eds) Handbook of Environmental Psychology and Quality of Life Research. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31416-7_9

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