Little attention has been given to psychometrics in research into social-political pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in adolescents. We therefore developed a new, brief and unidimensional instrument (the Social Pro-Environmental Behaviors Scale for Adolescents, S-PEBS-A) to assess social PEBs in youth. In Study 1 (n = 887, 56% male, Mage = 16.43, SD = 1.23) the scale was developed, based on Item Response Theory. The 5-item final version turned out to be unidimensional, to vary in location, to have high discrimination ability, and to be informative for a broad range of the trait. In Study 2 (n = 943, 60% male, Mage = 16.33, SD = 1.26), through Differential Item Functioning across sex and age, the scale was found to be invariant across those variables. Moreover, the expected a posteriori score was positively and significantly related to climate change worry. In conclusion, the S-PEBS-A is suitable for research efforts and educational interventions with youth.

A new brief scale for social pro-environmental behaviors in adolescents by applying item response theory: The S-PEBS-A

Romano, Luciano;Panno, Angelo;
2025-01-01

Abstract

Little attention has been given to psychometrics in research into social-political pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) in adolescents. We therefore developed a new, brief and unidimensional instrument (the Social Pro-Environmental Behaviors Scale for Adolescents, S-PEBS-A) to assess social PEBs in youth. In Study 1 (n = 887, 56% male, Mage = 16.43, SD = 1.23) the scale was developed, based on Item Response Theory. The 5-item final version turned out to be unidimensional, to vary in location, to have high discrimination ability, and to be informative for a broad range of the trait. In Study 2 (n = 943, 60% male, Mage = 16.33, SD = 1.26), through Differential Item Functioning across sex and age, the scale was found to be invariant across those variables. Moreover, the expected a posteriori score was positively and significantly related to climate change worry. In conclusion, the S-PEBS-A is suitable for research efforts and educational interventions with youth.
2025
Adolescents, Gender equality, Good health and wellbeing, Item response theory, S PEBS A, SDG 3, SDG 5, Social pro environmental behaviors
File in questo prodotto:
Non ci sono file associati a questo prodotto.

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14092/9281
 Attenzione

Attenzione! I dati visualizzati non sono stati sottoposti a validazione da parte dell'ateneo

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
social impact