Iran Agricultural Research (2023) 42 (2) 11-22. Iran Agricultural Research Journal homepage: https://iar.shirazu.ac.ir * Corresponding author: Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, Iran. E-mail address: mbijani@modares.ac.ir https://doi.org/ 10.22099/IAR.2024.48842.1563 Received 09 April 2024; Received in revised form 08 May 2024; Accepted 13 May 2024 Available online: 27 May 2024 Towards conservation behavioral change through connectedness to nature: A qualitative content analysis Maryam Mohammadi a Masoud Bijani a* , Amir Naeimi b , Naser Valizadeh c , Annalisa Setti d a Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University (TMU), Tehran, I.R. Iran. b Department of Extension, Communication and Rural Development Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zanjan, Zanjan, I. R. Iran. c Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, I.R. Iran. d School of Applied Psychology and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Ireland. ARTICLE INFO Keywords: Critical theory Environmental conservation Human-nature connectedness Pro-environmental behaviors Qualitative content analysis ABSTRACT- In order to deal with the environmental risks caused by human behavior and change it towards sustainable pro-environmental behaviors, it is suggested to re-establish the connection between humans and the natural world. The purpose of this research was to identify the components affecting connectedness to nature (CTN) in order to strengthen conservation behaviors in the context of critical theory paradigm. To analyze the selected final articles, qualitative content analysis technique with inductive approach was used as the research method. The articles related to CTN are considered as the statistical population and sample in this technique. Selection of the article from population was fulfilled using a purposeful approach. Based on the results of content analysis, a model was developed and proposed for components affecting CTN. The results showed that the three main components including "situational-contextual (experience with nature and activities affecting CTN)", "individual (worldviews and individual factors)", and "psychological (mindfulness, identity, and empathy)" dimensions affecting CTN. Each of the sub-components also encompasses several variables that, when given attention, can enhance CTN and pro-environmental conservation behaviors. The model developed and proposed in the present study can be utilized by policymakers and stakeholders interested in facilitating change and planning for decision-making processes among natural resource users. INTRODUCTION The global environment has experienced significant changes in recent years, and most of these changes are caused by human activities (Warner & Diaz, 2021). Global warming, water and air pollution, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are examples of environmental changes resulting from human activities (Mohammadi et al., 2024). In this regard, "connectedness to nature (CTN)" and "persons‟ relationship with nature" are among the most important exit environmental strategies that have been continuously discussed by experts during the past decades. CTN is considered as a solution for environmental sustainability that may have great potential to strengthen the pro-environmental behaviors. As per researchers (Beery & Daniel Wolf-Watz, 2014; Warner & Diaz, 2021), this capacity is grounded in individuals' previous encounters with nature, along with their attitudes and values toward the natural world, fostering a stronger inclination to nurture and safeguard nature. Today, CTN is used to explain many pro- environmental behaviors and is operationalized as the feeling degree of individuals towards the nature as a part of the natural world. The concept of CTN was first proposed by Schultz, who designed a scale to examine a person's sense of self as a part of the nature (Schultz, 2001, 2002). CTN refers to an individual's sense of being part of an interconnected with the natural world. This concept encompasses a deep emotional and psychological bond with nature, leading to feelings of awe, respect, and responsibility towards the environment. CTN is often associated with positive outcomes such as increased well- being, environmental conservation behaviors, and a sense of purpose and belonging in the world (Schultz, 2002). The concept of CTN highlights that individuals who feel a stronger connection to nature are less likely to harm the environment, as they view themselves as an integral part of nature (Warner & Diaz, 2021). In this regard, a person's CTN may be the motivation for his/her participation in conservation and pro-environmental behaviors. In contrast, the lack of this connectedness may be the cause of people's indifference to the environmental destruction (Whitburn et al., 2020). Some studies (see Barbaro & Pickett, 2016; Hughes et al., 2018) indicate that establishing CTN can play an effective role in strengthening and increasing the individuals‟ conservation behavior towards the environment and natural resources. Therefore, CTN is considered very important for the future of nature conservation. It is also important to note that a decrease in