Promoting Caring Behaviors for the World and Society among Undergraduate Students based on the Inner Development Goals Framework

Abstract

Sustainable development in the twenty-first century is no longer focused solely on structural changes in society, but also emphasizes the development of individuals' inner capacities through the Inner Development Goals (IDGs), which are considered an important foundation for responsible social and environmental behaviours. However, empirical evidence on the relationship between inner capacities and caring behaviours among undergraduate students in Thailand remains limited. This survey research aimed to examine the levels of Inner Development Goals, the levels of caring behaviours, and the relationship between these two variables. The participants were 241 undergraduate students enrolled in a general education course. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results showed that the students demonstrated high levels of both Inner Development Goals and caring behaviours, with the highest mean scores found in the social and environmental dimensions. In addition, Inner Development Goals were positively correlated with caring behaviours at a statistically significant level (p < .01), particularly in the dimensions of Relating and Collaborating. The findings indicate that the development of inner capacities based on the IDGs framework is associated with students' caring behaviours and may provide useful evidence for designing curricula, learning activities, and educational policies that promote responsible citizenship and sustainable development in higher education.