International Journal of Environment, Engineering, and Education
Vol. 8 No. 3 (2026)

From Environmental Literacy to Sustainable Lifestyle: A Three-Wave CB-SEM Analysis of Virtual Reality Learning Experience among University Students

Erma Suryani Sahabuddin (Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Muhammad Irfan (Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Syamsuddin Syamsuddin (Department of Special Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Hamzah Pagarra (Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Andi Makkasau (Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Sulfasyah Sulfasyah (Department of Elementary School Teacher Education, Universitas Muhammadiyah Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)
Farhan Fadhil Ali (Department of English Language, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Makassar, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
20 Sep 2026

Abstract

Universities increasingly require pedagogical approaches that connect environmental literacy with sustainable lifestyle practices. This study examined the associations of environmental knowledge and environmental skills with sustainable lifestyle and assessed potential indirect pathways through a virtual reality (VR) learning experience. The final analytical sample comprised 400 university students who completed all three assessments and met the prespecified data-quality criteria. Environmental knowledge and skills were measured before the session, VR learning experience immediately afterward, and sustainable lifestyle through a self-report follow-up two weeks later. Confirmatory factor analysis and covariance-based structural equation modeling were applied. The model demonstrated acceptable fit (CMIN/DF = 2.376, RMSEA = 0.059, SRMR = 0.052, CFI = 0.936, TLI = 0.927). Environmental knowledge was positively associated with sustainable lifestyle (β = 0.182, p < 0.001) and VR learning experience (β = 0.312, p < 0.001). Environmental skills showed larger standardized associations with sustainable lifestyle (β = 0.241, p < 0.001) and VR learning experience (β = 0.451, p < 0.001). VR learning experience had the largest standardized direct association with sustainable lifestyle (β = 0.373, p < 0.001). The model-implied indirect effects were 0.116 for environmental knowledge and 0.168 for environmental skills and were interpreted descriptively. The model explained 51.4% of the variance in VR learning experience and 68.7% of the variance in sustainable lifestyle. These findings suggest that immersive learning experience may provide an intermediate link between environmental literacy and short-term self-reported sustainable practices. Causal and long-term claims require comparison groups, longer follow-up, and objective behavioral indicators.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijeedu

Publisher

Subject

Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Computer Science & IT Education Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Environmental Science

Description

The International Journal of Environment, Engineering, and Education [e-ISSN: 2656-8039] is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal that is published three times a year [in April, August, and December]; this journal provides the right platform for authors to update their knowledge, information, and ...