Material values, environmental attitudes, and pro-environmental behaviors among future physicians in a coastal setting

Abstract Human–environment interactions are increasingly strained by unsustainable consumption patterns shaped by cultural values and social norms. Materialism, defined as prioritizing possessions and financial success, has been consistently linked to lower environmental concern and reduced engagement in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs). However, PEBs are not uniform: private behaviors (e.g., personal conservation) and public behaviors (e.g., advocacy, group participation) may have distinct determinants, including social visibility and status considerations. This study examined material values, environmental attitudes, and both private and public PEBs among medical students in Alexandria, a coastal Mediterranean city, using a cross-sectional survey with quota sampling. Students reported moderate materialism, high environmental attitudes, moderate private PEBs, and low public PEBs. Bivariate analyses indicated negative associations between material values (MV) and environmental attitudes and private PEBs, while public PEBs were linked to sociodemographic factors and MV. Regression models revealed that private PEBs were predicted by nationality and MV-centrality, whereas public PEBs—including environmental group membership, donations to environmental groups, and attendance of conferences on environmental issues—were differentially associated with MV orientations and cultural background. These findings highlight domain-specific determinants of environmental behavior and underscore the importance of embedding sustainability education and experiential engagement in medical curricula, tailored to diverse socio-cultural and economic contexts, to foster environmentally responsible practices among future healthcare professionals.