The Brief Solastalgia Scale: A Psychometric Evaluation and Revision

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Psychometrics
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Solastalgia is a negative emotional response to environmental degradation.
• The existing 9-item Solastalgia subscale has psychometric limitations.
• Understanding climate-related emotional distress is increasingly critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and refine the psychometric properties of the Solastalgia subscale.
• To develop and validate a brief, reliable measure of solastalgia.
• To provide a tool for assessing emotional impacts of environmental change.

Main Methods:

• Factor analysis and Item Response Theory were used on data from 4229 adults surveyed post-2019/20 Australian bushfires.
• A short-form scale (Brief Solastalgia Scale - BSS) with five items was developed.
• Multi-group confirmatory factor analysis validated the scale across diverse samples and demographics.

Main Results:

• The original 9-item scale showed unidimensionality but had psychometric weaknesses and redundant items.
• The 5-item Brief Solastalgia Scale (BSS) demonstrated excellent model fit and internal consistency.
• The BSS showed comparable associations with various demographic, health, and psychological variables as the original scale.

Conclusions:

• The Brief Solastalgia Scale (BSS) is a psychometrically sound and efficient measure for solastalgia.
• The BSS can assist researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in addressing climate change's emotional toll.
• Accurate measurement of solastalgia is vital for supporting individuals and communities facing environmental change.