An Examination of Environmental Attitudes and Resilience among Children in Child Protection Care in Romania

Autori:

Biborka KUI, Erika HORVÁTH-SZOVÁTI

Cod: ISSN: 1583-3410 (print), ISSN: 1584-5397 (electronic)
Dimensiuni: pp. 7-29

How to cite this article:

Kui, B., Horváth-Szováti, E. (2025). An Examination of Environmental Attitudes and Resilience among Children in Child Protection Care in Romania. Revista de Cercetare si Interventie Sociala, 91, 7-29, DOI: 10.33788/rcis.91.1

Abstract:

This study investigates the environmental attitudes and psychosocial characteristics of children and adolescents living in residential child protection care. Rooted in interdisciplinary literature, the research explores whether nature-based education can support emotional development and psychological well-being in this vulnerable group. Using a quantitative survey design, data were collected from 87 children aged 8–19 across eight Romanian care institutions, both state- and church-run. Instruments included a self-designed environmental attitude questionnaire, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Hungarian GYIRM-25 resilience scale. The study examined correlations between environmental attitudes and academic performance, specific scientific knowledge, anxiety levels, and resilience. Findings indicate that participants generally hold positive environmental attitudes, with the affective component being the strongest and the behavioral (conative) the weakest. A significant correlation was found between environmental attitudes and concrete scientific knowledge, suggesting that knowledge-based environmental education supports attitude formation. No significant relationships were found between environmental attitudes and academic performance or anxiety. However, a weak but notable correlation emerged between environmental attitudes and resilience at the 10% significance level, indicating potential psychosocial benefits of nature engagement. These results suggest that environmental education may play a meaningful role in fostering psychological resilience among institutionalized youth. The findings advocate for more experiential, nature-based programs in child protection contexts and highlight the need for further research on their long-term developmental impact.