ISSEP-2026-03

GRANT ID#: ISSEP-2026-03

GRANT TITLE: Existential rewards of routine action: State authenticity as a mediator of everyday pro-environmental behaviors and meaning in life.

GRANTEE: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

PRIMARY INVESTIGATOR: Algae Kit Yee Au.

CO-PRIMARY INVESTIGATORS: Stephanie Szeto (Saint Francis University), Eddie Ka Wai (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University).

GRANT AMOUNT: USD $3,000

DURATION OF GRANT PROJECT: April 15, 2026 – April 15, 2027.

Description of the Project

Executive summary:

Global environmental crises require sustained engagement in pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs), yet the psychological rewards underlying routine, everyday actions remain underexplored. Drawing on existential philosophy and humanistic psychology, this study examines how private-sphere PEBs—such as recycling and energy conservation—generate momentary experiences of state authenticity and thereby enhance existential meaning. Among 300 everyday environmentalists in Hong Kong, a 10-day Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) will capture real-time fluctuations in PEBs, authenticity, and meaning. Dynamic structural equation modeling (DSEM) will test within-person effects and mediation pathways, addressing: (1) whether routine PEBs elicit state authenticity; (2) whether authenticity predicts existential meaning; and (3) whether authenticity mediates the PEB–meaning relationship over time. By adopting an existential psychological perspective, this study advances understanding of how daily, value-driven sustainable actions foster self-alignment and meaning, informing interventions to promote meaningful engagement in everyday PEBs.

Itemized budget:

To minimize premature dropouts, participants will be paid progressively from USD 10 to USD 15, depending on their EMA session completion rate (i.e., USD 10 for 50% completion, USD 12 for 65% completion, and USD 15 for 80% completion or more). The maximum total incentive payment for 300 participants will be USD 15 × 300 = USD 4,500. Since the ISSEP research grant is capped at USD 3,000, the remaining USD 1,500 will be covered by the PI’s existing funds.

The total amount approved for this project is USD $3,000.