Adaptation of the Revised Environmental Identity Scale to Adult Portuguese Native Speakers: A Validity and Reliability Study

Abstract

Environmental identity is a dimension of personal identity that reflects an individual’s sense of connection with nature and personal view of nature as part of her/his identity. There is a need to adapt and validate measures that assess environmental identity, namely in Portuguese. This study analyzed the validity and reliability of the Revised Environmental Identity Scale (Revised EID) in a sample of native speakers of Portuguese from 18 to 83 years old. The survey included the Portuguese translation of the Revised EID, measures of eco-anxiety, adult attachment, affective neurobiological systems, psychological symptoms, and sociodemographic information. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to assess the construct validity of the scale. It was tied to a two-factor solution (Connectedness with Nature and Protection of Nature) found in prior research. The Revised EID was positively related to feelings of anxiety about personal impact on climate change and positive emotional systems (SEEKING, CARE, and PLAY). Older participants reported higher levels in the overall environmental identity score and the Protection of Nature factor. The results indicate that the Revised EID is an appropriate measure to assess environmental identity in adult Portuguese native speakers and should be used to conduct cross-cultural studies to drive environmental and health policies.