Measuring young individuals' responses to climate change: validation of the Slovenian versions of the climate anxiety scale and the climate change worry scale

Introduction: While increasing awareness of climate change is needed to address
this threat to the natural environment and humanity, it may simultaneously
negatively impact mental health. Previous studies suggest that climate-specific
mental health phenomena, such as climate anxiety and worry, tend to be especially
pronounced in youth. To properly understand and address these issues, we need
valid measures that can also be used in non-Anglophone samples. Therefore, in
the present paper, we aimed to validate Slovenian versions of the Climate Anxiety
Scale (CAS) and the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) among Slovenian youth.
Method: We conducted an online survey in which 442 young individuals (18–
24 years) from Slovenia filled out the two central questionnaires and additional
instruments capturing other relevant constructs (e.g., general anxiety, neuroticism,
and behavioral engagement).
Results: The confirmatory factor analyses results supported the hypothesized
factorial structure of the CAS (two factors) and the CCWS (one factor). Both scales
also demonstrated great internal reliability. Moreover, the analyses exploring both
constructs’ nomological networks showed moderate positive associations with
similar measures, such as anxiety and stress (convergent validity), and very weak
associations with measures they should not be particularly related to, such as
narcissism (discriminant validity). Lastly, we found that the CAS and, even more so,
the CCWS have unique predictive value in explaining outcomes such as perceived
threat, support for climate policies, and behavioral engagement (incremental
validity).
Discussion: Overall, Slovenian versions of the CAS and the CCWS seem to be valid,
reliable, and appropriate for future studies tackling young individuals’ responses
to climate change. Limitations of the study and areas for future research are
discussed.