Validation of the climate change worry for adolescents and climate concern impacts on daily life scales

Introduction Validated survey instruments are needed to better understand how concerns about climate change affect adolescents’ cognitive-emotional experiences and everyday functioning. Using a Canadian adolescent sample, this study aimed to validate two survey scales: a Climate Change Worry Scale for Adolescents (CWS-A) and a Climate Concern Impact on Daily Life Scale (CCIDLS). Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 804 Canadian adolescents (aged 13–18). A confirmatory factor analysis approach was used to affirm that the items measured the factors specified. Item response theory was used to further examine the properties of the scales at item level. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to examine invariance by gender (boys versus girls) and age (age 13–15 versus 16–18). Convergent validity was examined against self-perceived impacts of climate change on mental health and climate change concern. Results For the CWS-A, a two-factor measure of micro- and macro-worry had excellent model fit and was invariant for age and gender. For the CCIDLS a one-factor model had adequate fit and showed invariance for age and gender. The CCIDLS and CWS-A were significantly higher among those who perceived their mental health as being impacted by climate change and those concerned about climate change. Conclusions Our findings highlight the importance of distinguishing between more affective responses, such as climate worry, and impairment in daily functioning. The CWS-A and CCIDLS demonstrate evidence of validity of these measures for Canadian adolescents; future studies should examine the validity of these survey instruments in other countries and languages.