A Measure of Nature Connectedness for Children and Adults: Validation, Performance, and Insights

Miles Richardson, Anne Hunt, Joe Hinds, Rachel Bragg, Dean Fido, Dominic Petronzi, Lea Barbett, Theodore Clitherow and Matthew White
Additional contact information
Miles Richardson: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Anne Hunt: Valuing Environment Team, Natural England, York YO1 7PX, UK
Joe Hinds: Department of Psychology, Social Work and Counselling, Faculty of Education & Health, University of Greenwich, Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
Rachel Bragg: Care Farming UK, Bristol BS3 4NA, UK
Dean Fido: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Dominic Petronzi: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Lea Barbett: Human Sciences Research Centre, University of Derby, Derby DE22 1GB, UK
Theodore Clitherow: European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK
Matthew White: European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, TR1 3HD, UK

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 12, 1-16

Abstract: With benefits to both human well-being and pro-nature conservation behaviors, nature connectedness is emerging as an important psychological construct for a sustainable future. The growing research and applied and policy-related interests require a straightforward measure of nature connectedness that is suitable for both children and adult populations. To establish the reliability of the new Nature Connection Index (NCI) three factor analyses were conducted. One was based on a large Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) dataset for adults ( n = 3568) with a replication from data sets collected online ( n = 553), and a third used MENE data from children ( n = 351). To validate the NCI as a measure for nature connectedness an online comparison study ( n = 153) included the NCI alongside other established measures. The results showed that the NCI was a reliable and valid scale that offers a short, simple alternative to other measures of nature connectedness, particularly for populations including both children and adults, measured face to face or online. The utility of the NCI is also supported, with variations associated with various pro-environmental and pro-conservation behaviors observed, and importantly the NCI also revealed changes in nature connectedness across the lifespan.

Keywords: nature connectedness; pro-nature conservation behaviors; lifespan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (16)

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