Abstract
Objectives
This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to assess adolescents’ behaviors related to protection against environmental health risks.
Methods
This methodological study was conducted with adolescents aged 10–15 years (EFA n = 301; CFA n = 300). During the scale development process, an initial pool of 22 items was generated based on the literature. Content validity was established through expert evaluation, and a pilot study (n = 30) was conducted. Construct validity was assessed using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Principal component analysis with Varimax rotation was employed in the EFA. Reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, split-half reliability, and test–retest methods.
Results
Three items with low factor loadings and cross-loadings were removed, resulting in a 16-item scale with a two-factor structure. The total variance explained was 42.46%. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were 0.80 for “Protective and Preventive Behaviors,” 0.77 for “Environmental Risk Avoidance,” and 0.84 for the total scale. CFA results indicated acceptable model fit (χ²/df=2.39; CFI=0.911; RMSEA=0.068). Test–retest reliability analysis demonstrated high temporal stability (ICC=0.95). Furthermore, significant differences between the upper and lower 27% groups supported strong discriminant validity (p < 0.001).
Conclusions
The Scale of Environmental Health Risk Prevention Behaviors for Adolescents is a valid and reliable instrument. It can be used to assess adolescents’ protective behaviors related to environmental health risks, identify at-risk groups, and guide intervention planning.
Key messages
• This study presents a valid and reliable scale to assess adolescents’ protective and preventive behaviors related to environmental health risks.
• The scale helps identify at-risk adolescents and supports targeted public health interventions to improve environmental health behaviors.