Exploring Environmental Engagement: A Multivariable Analysis of Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors in Distance Education University Students

The growing concern about environmental issues has highlighted the need to understand the environmental attitudes and behaviors of university students, especially in distance education contexts where formative challenges are different. The objective of this study was to analyze the environmental engagement of Ecuadorian university students in distance learning, identifying differences between dimensions, environmental profiles, and the influence of sociodemographic variables. A validated questionnaire was applied to 405 students, assessing four dimensions of environmental attitudes and four dimensions of environmental behaviors. The analysis included descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, principal component analysis, clusters analysis, PERMANOVA, and decision trees (CART). The results showed higher levels of connectivity and emotional affinity but lower levels of environmental activism. Three differentiated environmental profiles were identified (high, moderate, and low commitment), and it was found that academic major and marital status are the sociodemographic variables with the greatest influence. The findings reveal a favorable relationship between attitudes and everyday behaviors with low effort, but limitations for collective and transformative actions. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen educational strategies adapted to student profiles, with an emphasis on active participation and environmental engagement in distance higher education.