Preliminary communication
https://doi.org/10.17234/SocEkol.34.3.3
Psychometric analysis of scales and the relationship between environmental identity, connectedness to nature, and time spent in nature in a student sample
Dunja Anđić
orcid.org/0000-0001-8444-1820
; Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Rijeka
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Constructs such as Environmental identity and Connectedness to Nature are increasingly the focus of numerous interdisciplinary studies, which consider them not only in the context of human–nature relationships but also in the context of education as fundamental tools for addressing ecological challenges. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Environmental Identity and Connectedness to Nature scales, as well as to examine the relationship between Environmental Identity and Connectedness to Nature, and the time participants spend in nature in a convenience sample of students from the University of Rijeka (N = 434). Two scales were used: a revised Environmental Identity scale and a short Connectedness to Nature scale. The study reports the results of psychometric analyses of these scales, using exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, multiple-group confirmatory factor analyses, correlation analyses, and internal consistency reliability assessments. The analyses confirmed satisfactory psychometric properties for both scales. Furthermore, results indicated moderately high levels of environmental identity and connectedness to nature among participants. Finally, using structural equation modeling, the effects of time spent in nature and the degree of connectedness to nature on students’ environmental identity were determined.
Keywords
environmental identity; connectedness to nature; nature relatedness; students; time spent in nature
Hrčak ID:
342039
URI
Publication date:
22.12.2025.
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