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Gwang-Ju Citizens' Attitudes towards Tree Burials and Intentions to Select Tree Burials  

Kim, Sang-Mi (Dept. of Forestry, Chonnam National Univ.)
Kim, Sang-Oh (Dept. of Forestry, Chonnam National Univ.)
Publication Information
Korean Journal of Environment and Ecology / v.26, no.1, 2012 , pp. 100-112 More about this Journal
Abstract
Governments and related agencies have made efforts to introduce tree burials (TB) as an alternative to solve the problems involved in the traditional funeral manners. Citizens' TB selection rates are, however, still very low. It is important to understand citizens' perceptions and attitudes towards TB to make people more actively participate in TB. This study examined citizens' knowledge, behavioral belief, attitudes towards selecting TB, intentions to select TB, and their relationship with citizens' socio-demographic characteristics. A total of 320 citizens in Gwang-ju, Korea, completed the survey during May, 2011. Results showed that 65.3% of respondents were aware of TB, and many of them (47.6%) obtained information from TV/Radio. Age, education level, marital status and birth order were related with knowledge about TB. Respondents with higher age or higher education level tended to have higher knowledge rates. The married or the non-eldest sons also had higher knowledge rates. Respondents with higher age or higher education level, and the married tended to have more positive attitudes towards selecting TB and to rate 'unconventional funeral customs' high. Respondents with higher age, education level or married respondents tended to have higher intention to select TB. The knowledge level about TB was positively related with attitudes about TB selection and intention to select TB. The results were discussed and some ways to promote TB were suggested.
Keywords
TRADITIONAL FUNERAL MANNERS; KNOWLEDGE; SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHICS;
Citations & Related Records
연도 인용수 순위
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