Expanding self-determination theory: Examining the role of nature relatedness in agroforestry adoption among Indigenous landholders in Mexico

Understanding what motivates land users to adopt conservation practices is of central importance for mitigating climate change and biodiversity loss. But fostering adoption alone is not enough. The intensity and scope of behavior change, along with the longitudinal patterns of adoption are instrumental in achieving conservation solutions and must also be addressed. We tested an expanded self-determination theory (SDT) to understand the reasons why autonomous motivations shaped behavior among Indigenous land users in Yucatan, Mexico. We first conducted semi-structured interviews and then surveyed residents from 28 communities who were participating in a national agroforestry program called Sembrando Vida (“Sowing Life”). Results from a thematic analysis of qualitative data and a theoretically derived path model demonstrated the applicability of SDT to understand select psychological needs of Indigenous communities. We also highlighted the need to adapt psychometric measurement through in situ testing that aligns with culturally distinct populations. Given that the motivational forces undergirding behavior change have largely been studied in Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic nations (“WEIRD”), we offer new insight into the reasons why non-WEIRD cultures may be autonomously motivated to adopt practices that benefit the environment. We also suggest that nature relatedness was positively associated with autonomous motivation, and in turn, the adoption intensity of agroforestry practices. The inclusion of Indigenous people's connection to nature in SDT reveals a pathway for strengthening SDT and informing more culturally sensitive conservation research and interventions.