Title

FROM ATTITUDE TO ACTION: KNOWLEDGE AS A MEDIATING FACTOR BETWEEN ATTITUDE AND SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Author(s)

GILGAVEN L. PAYE

ACE LOURENCE S. BANZON

Affiliation

MISAMIS UNIVERSITY

Degree Program

Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) – Science

Contributor

CANINI, NELFA D. - Adviser

BALUYOS, GENELYN R. - Instructor

VILLANTES, YUNALYN L. - Panel

GALINDO, RUSSEL P. - Panel

Year

2025

Abstract

Solid waste management (SWM) is vital for environmental sustainability. This study examined college students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding SWM and the mediating role of knowledge in the relationship between attitude and practice. A total of 370 students from a higher education institution in Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental, were surveyed using validated Likert-scale questionnaires. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation, multiple regression, and mediation analysis. Results showed that students had very high knowledge (M = 4.60), very good attitudes (M = 4.62), and very good practices (M = 4.49). Significant positive correlations were found between knowledge and practices (r = 0.591, p < .001) and between attitude and practices (r = 0.571, p < .001). Regression analysis revealed that both knowledge (β = 0.44, p < .001) and attitude (β = 0.33, p < .001) significantly predicted SWM practices, accounting for 39% of the variance. Mediation analysis further indicated that knowledge partially mediated the link between attitude and practice, contributing 48.2% of the total effect. The findings revealed that students' strong knowledge and favorable attitudes translate into responsible waste management behaviors, with knowledge serving as a key factor in strengthening the impact of attitudes on practice. The study recommends integrating environmental education and strengthening institutional initiatives to further enhance students' sustainable waste management.

Keywords

behavioral factors, environmental education, ecological responsibility, higher education, sustainability