Psychosocial factors can promote low-carbon consumption by shaping individual behavioral decisions. This paper focuses on three key psychosocial factors: environmental evaluation, well-being, and social trust. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2018 and 2020, this study applies a mixed-effects model to empirically examine the impacts of psychosocial factors on Household Carbon Footprints (HCFs). Additionally, the study examines eastern-central-western and urban-rural heterogeneity. The study reveals several key findings: (1) Environmental evaluation significantly reduces HCFs. Social trust exhibits an inverted U-shaped relationship with HCFs, initially promoting but later inhibiting them. Well-being, however, has no significant effect on HCFs. (2) Environmental evaluation has a significant negative impact on HCFs in all regions, and the inverted “U” shape of social trust on HCFs is significant only in eastern, central and rural areas. Furthermore, based on these findings, the study proposes strategies to promote low-carbon household consumption, aiming to foster more sustainable practices.
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