The impact of attitudes on behavioural change: a multilevel analysis of predictors of changes in consumer behaviour

Abstract

Introduction/objective: The paper sought to identify the predictor variables of changes in habits and behaviours of responsible consumption in students of Pedagogy of History and Geography in the city of Temuco, Chile. Method: The sample comprised of 110 students divided into an experimental (n = 68) and a control (n = 42) group. Pre-and post-intervention measurements were considered, within the framework of a pilot financial education programme for students of Pedagogy of History and Geography. Analyses included Multilevel Mixed Effects Analyses, which evaluated the predicting power of attitudes towards purchasing,materialism, self-discrepancy and levels of financial literacy regarding behavioural change in responsible consumption. Results: The results set forth rationality (a subscale of attitudes toward purchasing), and centrality (a subscale of materialism) as significant predictors of behavioural changes in purchasing. Conclusions: These results suggest guidelines for interventions to promote responsible consumption in university students.